Alexis Sanchez slumps to the floor and appears to smile wryly on the bench as his Arsenal return turns into a nightmare with drubbing at Liverpool

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Alexis Sanchez went through the full range of emotions, both on the bench and on the pitch, as his return to the Arsenal squad ended in disaster at Liverpool.

The Gunners, who are desperate to hang onto Sanchez amid interest from top clubs across Europe, endured a nightmarish afternoon at Anfield as they slipped to a 4-0 defeat.

Goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge sent Arsene Wenger's men packing, putting Sanchez through the grinder in the process.

Alexis Sanchez holds his head in his shirt during Arsenal's drubbing at Liverpool on Sunday

The Chilean, whose future at Arsenal remains unclear, was substituted after 62 minutes

It was a difficult return to the Gunners' matchday squad for Sanchez, whose side lost 4-0

The Chilean, who only has one season left on his contract with the north London club, slumped to his haunches during the defeat and, after being replaced by Olivier Giroud in the 62nd minute, looked exasperated on the substitutes' bench.

Such was the Arsenal shambles, he even appeared to let loose a wry smile as he contemplated just how bad his side's performance had been.

Sanchez has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City in recent weeks, with Pep Guardiola still open to more signings before the transfer window closes.

The forward who is set to link up with the Chile squad next week - is open to a switch north but much depends on whether Arsenal fold in the final days of the window. 

Wenger is loathe to lose him but it remains to be seen whether the Gunners will risk losing Sanchez for nothing next summer. 

He could at least appear to afford a wry smile during a terrible afternoon for the Gunners

But generally his expression was as gloomy as everyone else of an Arsenal persuasion

Sanchez is wanted by Manchester City with four days of the transfer window remaining