UK Edition
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 0: Arsene Wenger's embarrassing shambles of a team given hiding at Anfield
Liverpool were fantastic; Arsenal fantastical; an embarrassing shambles; a pale, grotesque shadow of the side they should be. A parody. They were humiliated by Liverpool’s attacking power and pace but added to their miserable downfall with their lack of organisation and determination. Once behind, it was over. All over. They had no belief and no leadership.
It was summed up by the utter ridiculousness of Liverpool’s third goal; a concession that would have led to angry recriminations in Sunday league football never mind elite professional sport. Arsenal took a corner. But they left Hector Bellerin as their sole defender and when the ball was cleared to him he wafted a leg at it unconvincingly, trying to control it, with Mohamed Salah charging down and then running from deep in his own half to calmly steer a low shot beyond Petr Cech.
The second goal was not much less of a travesty for Arsenal as they, again, were attacking before they lost the ball inside the Liverpool penalty area. Then it was pass, pass, pass and a final pass from Roberto Firmino out to Sadio Mane who cut back across Rob Holding – what possessed the Arsenal defender to show him inside? – with the outstanding forward then curling a superb right-footed shot around Cech and into the corner of the net.
It was that bad. A Liverpool win, given the recent history of this fixture, was predictable enough and the manner of it was also wholly familiar. They were too quick and aggressive and incisive for Arsenal to cope and therefore laid down their own marker as to what this season could hold.
On this evidence there is only one side who could possibly be considered as potential title – or even top four – contenders. “We’re going to win the league,” sarcastically sang the travelling Arsenal fans followed by “we are staying up”. It was that painful for them.
Firmino also scored – the first goal – and it meant that Liverpool’s ridiculously rapid front-three – an ‘FMS’ triumvirate – all struck while the fourth goal was claimed by the striker they are keeping out of the team right now, Daniel Sturridge, who came on as a substitute.
How bad was this for Arsenal? It was up their among the worst performances ever in Arsene Wenger’s 21 years at the club and he acknowledged that as he muttered about “everything went wrong. From first to last minute... we were an easy opponent” in a predictably brief, and also somewhat incoherent, press conference.
It was as bad, if not worse, than performances such as the 5-1 slaughter here three years ago, when Liverpool scored four times in the opening 20 minutes, and the brutal 8-2 defeat away to Manchester United in 2011 although at least, then, Wenger had the mitigation of a makeshift line-up.
That was not the case here. In fact he even decided to start without his two big summer recruits – record signing Alexandre Lacazette, who appeared bemused, and Sead Kolasinac. And while Alexis Sanchez took to the pitch, for the first time this season, as he still hopes to leave (as does Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, wanted by Liverpool and applauded as he was substituted, and Shkodran Mustafi) he was withdrawn before the end and had that familiar look to him that says ‘get me out of here’.
So this side finished fifth last season and the two players brought in to improve it were left out? Inexplicably Bellerin was playing at left-back – again - with Kolasinac on the bench while Nacho Monreal drowned in defence where he was cruelly exposed.
This was supposed to be the season when Arsenal ended the uncertainty, when Wenger had signed his new contract and the distractions were over, when he would re-arm his team and re-build confidence. Back-to-back league defeats away to Stoke City and Liverpool have followed a fortunate win at home to Leicester City and the same demons are there. The same questions; the same failings. It is an enduring, maddening, interminable ‘ground-hog day’.
Maybe he will confound critics. The season is new. But what is so difficult is that the result and the flow of the game were so predictable. Same old, same old.
This is not to detract from Liverpool who have a free-flowing brilliance about them when they attack and are managing to cope with Philippe Coutinho who still wants to leave for Barcelona before the window closes. They scored four and could have had seven, eight, who knows. Arsenal’s best player was goalkeeper Petr Cech who produced a world-class save to spread himself and deny Salah before the scoring had even begun.
But begin it did and what is so awful about the way Arsenal defend – does anyone feel that three-at-the-back is working? – is the lack of pressure they put on the ball. They just do not press; do not harry; do not work. Summed up by the ambling Granit Xhaka in midfield and, ahead of him, Mesut Ozil, of course.
So when Emre Can, who utterly eclipsed Xhaka, pushed the ball out wide to Joe Gomez the full-back had the time and the space to deliver a cross between Holding and Laurent Koscielny for Firmino to run through and head the ball past Cech who got fingers to it but had little chance.
The second and third goals came and there were more chances the rhythm did not change. Arsenal’s one opportunity was spurned, also when it was goalless, with Danny Welbeck again falling as he shot, which seems to be a habit of his, and spooning the ball over the bar.
There was another example of how poor Arsenal were with Cech denying Salah but Henderson simply wanting the rebound more than Xhaka as they both ran to the ball. The Liverpool captain got there first and shot over but there was always going to be more goals and the fourth was similar to the first. Again Can fed the ball wide and this time it was Salah with all the time and all the space to pick out Sturridge who cushioned his header past the forlorn and forsaken Cech.
Full time - Liverpool 4 - 0 Arsenal
Craig Pawson brings Arsenal's torrid afternoon to a close. Liverpool were outstanding today. Mane and Salah found space at will in wide areas behind Arsenal's defence - Can and Wijnaldum tore Arsenal apart with a superb range of passing.
A big week in the transfer window ahead for Arsenal - surely they need more than this? They've lost their second game of the season and they've done so with very little fight.
Three minutes of added time
Jurgen Klopp is about to extend his winning streak over Arsene Wenger to three games in a row.
There's one more chance for Liverpool as Mo Salah breaks down the left and forces a save from Cech from a tight angle. Liverpool play the corner short and elect to knock the ball around their midfield.
Free kick for Arsenal in a dangerous area
Henderson concedes a foul just outside the Liverpool penalty area and offers Ozil the chance to put the ball in a dangerous area.
The cross is decent, and met by Olivier Giroud, however he can only head the ball into the fans sat in Liverpool's Anfield Road end.
Still 4-0 as we go into the last minute of normal time.
Great performance from Joe Gomez
The former Charlton youngster was drafted into today's Liverpool side in place of the impressive Trent Alexander-Arnold. Facing up against Alexis Sanchez must have been a concern but Gomez has had a fine game - finding space in attacking positions, setting up Firmino's first, and looking very solid when called upon defensively.
Milner replaces Firmino
It looks as if Liverpool are settling for four. Firmino had a pretty quiet game up, despite scoring the opener.
Arsenal offering very little up front. Gary Neville's scathing commentary continues: "The only positive for Arsenal is there's still seven days left in the transfer window to get rid of some of these players"
Goal for Liverpool - Sturridge heads home at the back post
Brilliant play from Liverpool.
Firmino starts a counter attack from the edge of his own penalty area.
Emre Can deserves a lot of credit for gliding past Rob Holding in the middle of the park. He picked out Mo Salah, at the top corner of the penalty area, who whipped in a superb cross to the back post to take Cech out of the picture and put the ball on a plate for Daniel Sturridge to add Liverpool's fourth.
Poor challenge from Rob Holding
He's having a torrid game so far and for the second time in five minutes his first touch lets him down. He clatters through Henderson in an effort to win the ball back and earns a booking for his trouble.
Liverpool make a change. Sadio Mane takes to the touchline to be replaced by Daniel Sturridge. He forces an offensive reshuffle for Liverpool with Firmino playing from the right, Salah the left, and Sturridge through the middle.
Chances at both ends
First for Arsenal - The Liverpool back four look nervous for a moment as Welbeck crosses to Karius' back post. The German refuses to claim the ball allowing Giroud to knock the ball down for Lacazette who scuffs a half volley wide.
Secondly, Liverpool have a big chance to make it 4-0. Sadio Mane runs across Rob Holding, stabs a effort at Cech from a tight angle. Cech blocks the ball but it takes goal line clearance to remove the danger as the ball bounced towards the line.
A brief reprieve from a frantic few minutes as Alberto Moreno receives treatment.
Sole negative for Liverpool?
Loris Karius has dithered in possession on three occasions this afternoon. He's not had to make a save but has sown a palpable anxiety through the Anfield crowd by looking for too much time with the ball at his feet and being charged down by the Arsenal attack.
It looks as if they're missing Mignolet more than Coutinho at the moment.
3-0 Liverpool - Salah slots past Cech.
It's a return to comedy Arsenal defending as Mo Salah gets his first of the afternoon - he's deserved it after an outstanding display so far.
Moments after Rob Holding is nearly caught out at the back, Mo Salah robs last-man Bellerin of possession under a bouncing ball. With half the pitch to cover on his own he bears down on Cech and places the ball, low, past him.
3-0 Liverpool - Game over. Surely?
Arsenal clear their lines and break
Much more assertive from Arsenal - flashes of the Arsenal of old with a fast break through Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Moreno does well to thwart the attack and spark a Liverpool counter.
Salah drove down the touchline, cuts into the box and attempts to slide a shot past Cech who's equal to it but can only palm the ball to the onrushing Jordan Henderson at the edge of the box - however the England midfielder skies it from just shy of 18 yards.
Mane wins a free kick in a dangerous area
Rob Holding lets the ball bounce from a long clearance by Alberto Moreno. Mane does really well to outmuscle the centre back and win a free kick as Holding attempted to win the ball back.
Chance for Liverpool to put the ball in the box from the left hand side. It flies across the six yard box and out after Emre Can flicks on a cross from Salah.
Corner given incorrectly.
Better from Arsenal
We're still in the opening five minutes of the second half, but already Arsenal are looking better.
Welbeck catching Karius in possession again caps a decent opening spell.
They look more solid with four at the back and have a better handle on the midfield with Coquelin's added bite.
They'll need something to show for their improvement soon if they're to get back into this.
Gary Neville slams Arsenal attitude
The former Manchester United man really stuck the boot into Arsenal after their abject first half performance. Read more about Neville's comments here.
Can they improve in the second 45 minutes?
Tale of two managers
Jurgen Klopp has clearly loved his side's first half display while Arsene Wenger has cut a dejected figure on the touchline.
When asked to sum up Arsenal's first half, club legend Thierry Henry shrugs "where do you start?" - It says it all really. A very poor showing.
Half-time - Liverpool 2 - O Arsenal
Goals from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane separate the sides at the break as Jurgen Klopp looks set to extend his unbeaten run against Arsene Wenger in the Premier League to four games.
Liverpool have found space at will in wide areas, with Can, Wijnaldum, and Henderson bossing midfield.
Big half time team talk from Wenger ahead if he's going to get his side back into this.
Could he switch to four at the back to deal with the threats out wide?
"Put them all on the transfer list" - Gary Neville sticking the boot in
Granted the former Manchester United man isn't Arsenal's biggest fan (putting it lightly) but he's really laying into the North Londoners in commentary and not entirely without reason.
Liverpool have been utterly dominant in the first half, with 10 attempts to Arsenal's two so far.
Changes at the break surely.
2-0 Liverpool - Mane finds Cech's far corner
Arsene Wenger has a big half time team talk ahead of him. For the majority of the first half Arsenal have looked incapable of dealing with Liverpool's attacking play - with Mane and Salah finding space at will in wide areas and the likes of Can, Henderson, and Wijnaldum dictating play with very little resistance.
Sadio Mane, once again, finds space out wide after Liverpool break from the edge of their own penalty area. He cuts back from the edge of the area, steals a yard of space from Rob Holding and fires across Cech with a powerful finish.
2-0 Liverpool - Arsenal badly need to hear the half time whistle
Bizarre defending from Xhaka
Under pressure from Salah in his own six yard box, Granit Xhaka has conceded a corner after trying to find his goalkeeper via a backpass. There's cucumber defending, and then there's that - it looked thoughtless and he's lucky that Salah was probably the most surprised man in the stadium.
The corner comes to nothing eventually but worrying times for Arsenal.
Liverpool picking holes at will
Henderson, Wijnaldum, and Can are facing very little resistance from Ramsey and Xhaka in the midfield. They're being allowed all the time in the world to pick out willing runners out wide in the form of Mane, Salah, Moreno, and Gomez.
The hosts are playing with so much more energy than Arsenal who, after a brief spells of possession, look like they're struggling to get into the game - Sanchez and Ozil have been kept very quiet so far.
Arsenal starting to come back into it
A chance for Salah comes against the run of play as Arsenal have a decent spell of possession. While the hosts started at breakneck speed, Arsenal are starting to enjoy more of the ball in Liverpool's half. Welbeck is a willing runner in behind the Liverpool defence.
Danny Welbeck booked
The Arsenal front man picks up a yellow card for a late challenge on Moreno as the left back hoisted the ball forward. Gary Neville in commentary thinks its a harsh one.
Joe Gomez also finds himself in the book for hauling back Aaron Ramsey as he found space down the left hand side.
Chance for Arsenal to put a ball in the box.
No letting up from Liverpool
Two quickfire opportunities moments after the opener.
Sadio Mane had Petr Cech scrambling after once again finding space out wide and whipping a ball to the back post. It took the tall Czech international to stop the ball reaching Salah at the far post.
Shortly after Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey were caught being far too casual in possession by Alberto Moreno, who plays a slide rule pass to Henderson who can't finish.
1-0 Liverpool - Roberto Firmino opens the scoring
Again, a chance made in the wide areas.
Liverpool have been really dominant early on. Joe Gomez picks up the ball on Liverpool's right, has bags of time to cut onto his left foot at the top corner of the box before picking out Roberto Firmino's run through the heart of Arsenal's defence before he nods the ball into Petr Cech's far corner.
1-0 Liverpool
Salah looking dangerous - Chance for Liverpool
He's giving Arsenal problems already. Having come deep to win the ball from Alexis Sanchez he makes a sharp run in behind Monreal, again, however Emre Can can't pick him out.
Moments later Salah has a huge chance to put Liverpool 1-0 up in the early stages after Liverpool break down the left and put the ball on a plate for the Egyptian international who can't finish at the far post.
Still 0-0
First five minutes
Liverpool have arguably made the brighter start. Arsenal haven't had any meaningful possession thus far while Liverpool have been able to play Mo Salah in behind Monreal on a couple of occasions already.
First half chance of the game falls to Emre Can who heads a cross from Sadio Mane wide.
Still 0-0
Less than 10 minutes until kick-off
A quick reminder of the teams before the 4pm kick-off at Anfield.
Most notably, Simon Mignolet hasn't made Liverpool's squad as Loris Karius gets his first start of the season.
Speaking of first starts, Alexis Sanchez makes his first Arsenal appearance since the FA Cup Final.
Jurgen Klopp vs Arsene Wenger
The pair have shared the touchline on eight occasions - with Klopp managing both Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool against Wenger's Arsenal.
Though their overall record is even - Two draws and three wins apiece, Wenger hasn't registered a win over his German counterpart since he took over at Anfield.
Klopp's first encounter with Wenger in the Premier League ended in a 3-3 draw, with both encounters last season ending in Liverpool wins.
Can Wenger buck the trend and get Arsenal back on track after defeat at Stoke last time out?
Arsenal's record at Anfield
Of the 25 times Liverpool have hosted Arsenal in the Premier League, the visitors have only won six times. They've picked up eight draws on Merseyside but have been sent home empty handed a total of eleven times.
Arsenal will be looking to end a near five-year winless streak at Anfield today. The last time they won this fixture in September 2012 goals from Lukasz Podolski and Santi Cazorla sealed a 2-0 win.
Less than half an hour until kick-off
A quick reminder of the team news
Liverpool are without first choice keeper Simon Mignolet. Jurgen Klopp has opted to rest the Belgian after a heavy early season schedule and has drafted in Loris Karius as his replacement.
Arsenal have left summer signings Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette on the bench alongside German defender Shkodran Mustafi. Laurent Koscielny returns at the back, with Danny Welbeck left to lead the line.
Aaron Ramsey's 300th appearance for Arsenal
The Welsh international is handed a start at Anfield today and is therefore set to make his 300th appearance for the North Londoners since a £5 million move from Cardiff.
Can he rise to the occasion and get his side back on track after a disappointing defeat at Stoke last weekend?
As reported earlier...
Simon Mignolet does not even make the Liverpool squad for today's match.
Team news
The line-ups are in, and they are as follows:
Liverpool (4-3-3): Karius; Gomez, Lovren, Matip, Moreno; Henderson, Emre Can Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mané.
Subs: Ward, Klavan, Alexander-Arnold, Grujic, Milner, Solanke, Sturridge.
Arsenal ( 3-4-3): Cech; Holding, Koscielny, Monreal; Bellerin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sanchez, Welbeck, Ozil.
Subs: Ospina, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Coquelin, Walcott, Lacazette, Giroud.
Preview
What is it?
It's a Premier League game – the third game for each of Liverpool and Arsenal – of the season.
When is it?
The game at Anfield will be played on Sunday Aug 27, 2017 - ie today.
What time is kick-off?
4pm (BST).
What TV channel is it on?
Sky Sports and Sky Sports Main will be broadcasting all of the action with their programming getting under way at 3.30pm. Alternatively, you can bookmark this page and follow all the build-up and, of course, the action as it happens right here.
What is the team news?
Liverpool are again without Philippe Coutinho for Arsenal's visit to Anfield. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed the Barcelona target is still "on our injury list" with a back problem, even though he looks set to join up with Brazil next week.
Klopp is hopeful that both Emre Can and Trent Alexander-Arnold can overcome minor issues they sustained in midweek against Hoffenheim, while Georginio Wijnaldum is set to return to England after attending the birth of his child in Holland, but Nathaniel Clyne (hamstring) and Adam Lallana (thigh) remain absent.
Simon Mignolet has also been left out the squad.
Liverpool (possible, 4-3-3): Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Lovren, Moreno; Can, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane. Out: Lallana (thigh), Clyne (hamstring), Bogdan (knee), Coutinho (back). Test: Alexander-Arnold (leg).
Alexis Sanchez is in line to make his first Arsenal appearance of the season when they face Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday.
The Chile international has been absent with an abdominal strain but is set to be involved, as is defender Laurent Koscielny who returns from a three-match ban.
Manager Arsene Wenger has a largely-fit squad to choose from, although long-term absentee Santi Cazorla (ankle) still sidelined.
Arsenal (possible, 3-4-3): Cech; Holding, Kolasinac, Monreal; Bellerin, Xhaka, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sanchez, Lacazette, Ozil. Out: Cazorla (thigh).
What are they saying?
"Until 31 August a lot of things are really possible, in and out. If the transfer window closed tomorrow, I'm happy with it.
"Divock Origi was not in the squad [against Hoffenheim on Wednesday], he has done nothing wrong, it just shows how big the quality already is.
"We will see what happens. I'm happy at the moment, will I be happy on the 31st? Not sure. Will I be more happy? It's possible." Jurgen Klopp
"Alexis [Sanchez] has worked very hard to be back again and he is available.
"He works very hard, is focused and gives absolutely everything. He loves to play so much that it is sometimes difficult to stop him but he looks absolutely ready.
"He loves to play football and I don't think he is too disturbed by all the noises that happen. Players at that level are used to it now, some deal better with it than others but I don't think he is too bothered by that." Arsene Wenger
What are the odds?
- Liverpool to win: 11/10
- Draw: 11/4
- Arsenal to win: 23/10
What's our prediction?
This is a fixture which has been about goals – 4.4 a game on average in the last eight meetings – and it is hard to see that not being the case again. Both defences appear vulnerable but Liverpool are at home and have a more settled, threatening attack. They are also buoyed by reaching the Champions League group stages. It could be another difficult afternoon for Wenger.
Jason Burt's prediction: 3-1