Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: Jota & Firmino send Reds 1 point behind City
Diogo Jota‘s breakthrough goal early in the second half was soon followed by a second from substitute Roberto Firmino to move Jurgen Klopp’s side within a point of Manchester City.
Arsenal had chances of their own, none clearer than when Martin Odegaard failed to beat Alisson Becker from point-blank range after Thiago Alcantara’s sloppy back pass.
But while the Liverpool goalkeeper kept that attempt out, Aaron Ramsdale should have done better than allow Jota’s low shot to squeeze beyond him at his near post.
It was tough on Mikel Arteta’s team who started the game with real intensity, their performance featuring a standout display from Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing.
But they were unable to turn their endeavour into goals and their winning run ends at five. Liverpool’s own sequence of consecutive victories now stands at nine – and counting.
Liverpool’s depth making the difference
There was a time not so long ago when the absence of Mohamed Salah from the Liverpool starting line-up would have been cause for consternation but this squad is robust now.
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Having previously won without both him and Sadio Mane away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, Jota was able to score what turned out to be the winner here while Salah was sat on the bench.
That Klopp could turn to Salah and Firmino moments later – with Firmino soon adding the second – highlights the depth that the Liverpool manager now has at his disposal. Five top forwards.
Where did it go wrong for Arsenal?
This was a game of fine margins and there is little reason for Arsenal to panic after this defeat. There was enough on show in the first half to suggest they are on the right path.
After being the better team before the break, the key moment came soon afterwards when Alexandre Lacazette intercepted Thiago’s pass and set up Odegaard whose shot was saved.
It was not clinical enough and when Ramsdale failed to match Alisson’s efforts at the other end, the game was soon up. But few opponents will be as ruthless as the Reds.
