With a lackadaisical second half allowing Arsenal to erase Liverpool’s two goal lead, we take a look at what it means for Arne Slot’s Reds.
Everything was coming up Millhouse for Liverpool in the first half. The Reds looked to be energetic and overall sharp (with a couple exceptions) while Arsenal were feeling the effects of getting knocked out of the Champions League semifinal. Liverpool had some good early opportunities before striking twice in the span of two minutes to take a commanding lead and all the momentum into halftime. Some lazy marking allowed Arsenal the opportunity to score quickly to start the second half, and it was now the Reds who looked out of sorts and sloppy with the ball while the visitors amped up the pressure. Mikel Merino headed home an equalizer before being sent off for a second yellow. Liverpool had late chances and even found the back of the net, but the goal was waved off for a foul as the spoils were shared between the two sides for the second time this season.
Below, we take a look at some winners and losers on the night, and attempt to disentangle narrative from fact.
Winners
Guard of Hono(u)r – Take Two
It will never get old seeing the other squad line up and give extremely half-hearted applause as the Liverpool players walk out. Two more to go this season!
Luis Diaz
Lucho continued his late-season resurgence in front of goal. Playing through the middle, the Colombian touched home into an open net after a sensational bit of play from Dominik Szoboszlai. Diaz now has three goals and an assist in his last five matches for Liverpool.
Dominik Szoboszlai
The Hungarian midfielder put in a hard-charging shift as always. It was his energetic running and some sublime skill that created a moment of brilliance to give Liverpool a 2-0 lead. Szobo tracked a ball from Mohamed Salah over his shoulder and took it down perfectly at full stride. He played the ball towards goal, where it was touched home by Luis Diaz with an open net.
Andy Robertson
It wasn’t a perfect performance by Robbo, but the Scot did an overall solid job of containing Bukayo Saka down the left flank after getting absolutely roasted by the attacker the first time they met this season. Robertson also played a perfect ball in for Cody Gakpo to head home for the opening goal of the match, which was Robertson’s 250th appearance. It looked like Robbo sealed the match with a late goal in extra time, but it was called off for a foul by Ibrahima Konaté.
Losers
Mohamed Salah Breaking Records
The Egyptian King came into the match needing only two more goal involvements to match the Premier League record jointly held by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer, with both players having done it in a 42 match season. Salah looked to have an assist all but wrapped up in the opening few minutes when he played a perfect ball inside to Luis Diaz, but the Colombian hit it straight at the goalkeeper. A couple minutes later he was making a run to the back post, but Cody Gakpo got it all wrong and the chance went begging. Beyond that, Salah got the ball into dangerous areas in the box at times, but often found himself 1v3 and got blocked out. Salah finished with no shots on the match.
Dissecting the Narrative
With Trent Alexander-Arnold officially providing notice that he would be leaving the club at the end of this season, there were plenty of questions around if he would make another appearance for the Reds, and if so, how he would be received.
With Conor Bradley still returning to full fitness after one of his many injury layoffs, Arne Slot made the decision to bring on Trent as sub in the 66th minute. A mixture of cheers and boos rang out as he entered the field of play, but the mood quickly turned fully sour as many in the ground began to boo Trent any time he touched the ball. It was a pathetic display from supporters who claim “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as their motto.
Let’s be clear, Trent has been an integral player and helped the club to win every conceivable trophy, including another Premier League title this season. I can understand frustration around Trent not wanting to stay and spend the rest of his career at his childhood club, but he has done nothing to sully the club with his play or his actions. He has not pushed for a move, he has not faked a back injury, and he has not gotten into legal trouble off the pitch. A tepid response I can understand, but booing the player for quietly playing down his contract is just poor.
What Happens Next
Liverpool will go on the road to Brighton in the penultimate match of the season in a rare Monday evening match. The Reds will return home the following weekend for the final match of the season.