ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Anfield was still in a celebratory mood two weeks after Liverpool was confirmed as Premier League champion. And goals from Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz looked like setting Arne Slot’s side on the way to a comfortable victory.
After the interval, though, Gabriel Martinelli pulled a goal back just after half-time when he escaped the marking of Ibrahima Konate and then Trent Alexander-Arnold was brought on to boos and jeers. Mikel Merino made it 2-2 before the Spanish midfielder was shown a second yellow card by Anthony Taylor.
Liverpool has still not lost at home to Arsenal since 2011. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.
Trent Alexander-Arnold reception
In the first game since Trent Alexander-Arnold announced that he would be leaving Liverpool — not saying that Real Madrid was his destination, but with that very much an open secret — Conor Bradley was chosen to start ahead of the number 66. That makes sense, of course, as Slot looks to the future.
Bradley’s name was sung regularly — after Alexander-Arnold had got a mixed reception with a smattering of boos when his name was read out on the tannoy pre-match — and not just because The Kop was making its feelings clear on the future. Bradley played well in the main until he tired and showed plenty of energy when the heat would have been a mitigating factor in not being quite so intense.
Alexander-Arnold coming on was not quite a turning point in the second half because Bradley had been booked and was looking in need of a substitution, but the crowd’s reaction to the Liverpool vice-captain was telling. Alexander-Arnold was booed on and there was audible jeers when he had the ball.
Steven Gerrard’s song was sung loudly, and then “It was always Liverpool,” in reference to what appears to be a change of tune from the Scouser in the team. It was an uncomfortable outing for the number 66. Salah might have clapped him onto the field, but plenty inside Anfield wanted to show their displeasure, as they are perfectly entitled to do.
At the same time, the party atmosphere before his introduction showed what Alexander-Arnold will miss. Anfield was having a big celebration of what Liverpool has achieved. At his boyhood club, he knows what that means, and how much he should be relishing it. He won’t get that, at least not in the same way, at the Bernabeu.
Dominik Szoboszlai proves his worth
Last week, it was Harvey Elliott who was given the chance to impress and he didn’t really take it at all. Dominik Szoboszlai was back in and he very much did, showing exactly why he is the number one choice in the number 10 berth.
Szoboszlai was as relentless as ever in the middle of the pitch, chasing everything despite the warm air. He got an assist in the first half and was just considerably more involved than Elliott was.
Perhaps it is unfair to compare the performances of two players in just one game each, but that isn’t really the case. Szoboszlai has had the shirt all season long, mainly because of consistency like this.
Arne Slot midfield trio
Last week, it was the turn of the rotation cast in the Liverpool midfield with Harvey Elliott, Wataru Endo and Curtis Jones given a go at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. This time, only Alexis Mac Allister of the usual trio got a rest — well-earned, of course, after another grueling campaign in which he has featured substantially.
Perhaps being at home at Anfield played a part to some degree, but the fact that the usual suspects were back — and Declan Rice was missing through injury — meant that Liverpool dominated the middle third. Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino attempted to put their stamp on things but couldn’t manage it.
Mac Allister has arguably been the pick of the bunch this season but the Argentine being out of the side here didn’t make a difference. Ryan Gravenberch kept things ticking over and Szoboszlai added legs, best evidenced when he someone appeared at right-back seconds after being on the opposite flank, surprising Gabriel Martinelli by nicking the ball of his toe.
Arsenal claps Liverpool on
While taking a look at social media might paint a different picture (and even some of Mikel Arteta’s comments leading up to the game were odd), Arsenal was full of respect for Liverpool on the day.
David Raya made a point of going over to opposite number Alisson Becker before the game to congratulate him. Arteta’s players, before kick-off, took part in the customary Premier League tradition of performing a guard of honor.
“Best team in Europe, you’re having a laugh,” The Kop sang in the direction of Arteta at one stage. His comments this week, which made him look slightly odd, did not go unnoticed. On the day, though, he and his players showed their class, but couldn’t compete.
Next season’s title contenders?
While it will depend to some extent on how big Manchester City goes in the summer transfer window (and the outcome of the 115 charges that have been leveled at the Etihad side, of course), Liverpool and Arsenal could be the top two teams in the country again next season. If that is the case, that should surprise no one — both are starting from solid bases.
You cannot glean too much from a game in which both teams would have been within their rights to be distracted to some degree — it would be remarkable if Arsenal dropped out of the top four from here — but Liverpool looked sharp and set a marker in the first half and then faded in the second.
The gap at the top is still 15 points — and Arsenal has, significantly, not won at Anfield since 2011. The Reds have Brighton next, and then finish with another home serenading against Crystal Palace, after which Virgil van Dijk will lift the Premier League trophy.
