Key events
Half-time reading:
It’s the way I tell em.
ShareHALF-TIME: Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
A bouncing half of Premier League FootballTM, throbbing with tempo and burgeoning needle, if lacking a bit of composure and quality. It was excellent fare and Arsenal lead thanks to a decent start and superb Declan Rice cross. But there’s much, much more to come.
45+2 min Barcola stretches, ploughs Timber thigh to thigh, and the ref decides that is where he’s drawing the line; booking. Which is was yet, at the same time, it makes no sense given what was waved through earlier in the half.
45+1 min We’ll have two additional minutes.
45 min “Arsenal fans are well used to being told that our title was won by default,” chortles Christian Gunn, “that refs gave it to us, unworthy champions, Set-Piece FC etc but ‘absence of high class challengers’ is a fruity new one! And entirely fictional! Please critique as much as you like but at least keep it on the straight and narrow. Anything else? Your mate saw Ben White drowning kittens? Martin Zubimendi puts forks in the spoon bit?”
You think the standard at the top of the Prem is high? The Champions League suggests otherwise, and so does the eye-test. A title is a title and none are to be sneezed at, but I’d be shocked to hear anyone rhapsodise the quality at the top.
42 min Liverpool have Arsenal serried in their box once again, but another cross is cleared and off we go again. I’m surprised this is how they’re trying to score because of how well we know Gabriel, Calafiori and Konsa defend them but here they go again, Kerkez bouncing down the left and Mac Allister arriving on the burst; ye’ve gottae score! But though he introduces brow to ball, he sends it over the top, to receive instant appraisal from a sensitive soul in the away end.
39 min It’s Wirtz who unleashes a dipper that soars over Raya … and cannons the bar! That was a terrific effort, but Liverpool have got to make their pressure count before Arsenal get to reorganise at half-time. This is, by some distance, the best Premier League game I’ve seen this season.
Arsenal’s David Raya in action as Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz hits the bar from a free-kick. Photograph: Phil Noble/ReutersShare
Updated at 12.24 EST
38 min Liverpool win a corner Gabriel is certain they shouldn’t have, then Isak beats Madueke only to be tackled by Timber. The ref, though, appraises a foul; free-kick just outside the box, left-hand side, Wirtz and Gakpo behind it.
36 min Mac Allister opts not to shoot left-footed having opened the lane, so plays into the box and when the ball squirts off Barcola, Isak takes a touch before shooting wide of the near post. Arsenal, meantime, lack an out-ball and are also struggling to play out.
34 min We’re shown the 20th-minute cross on to which Isak couldn’t stick a head, and Timber has a proper handful of his shirt. In co-comms, Gary Nevile can’t understand why he didn’t make more of a fuss and he’s right – unlike the Tzoils/Gakpo one, that was enough for a penalty.
33 min I’m enjoying Liverpool’s breathless onslaught, but I’d like to see a little more finesse – of thought was well as of action. They’re putting Arsenal under pressure with speed and territory, but aren’t asking questions by getting them turned and chasing runners; more take-ons and quicker combinations are required.
31 min Yet another ball into the box and Kerkez appears at centre-forward, but he can’t quite get away from Konsa.
29 min Another ball lofted into the box, Gakpo chasing and Tzolis sort of holds him, then he hurls himself into the turf knowing he’s not getting it. On the touchline, Iraola, is certain it’s a penalty, but though VAR takes a look this is never getting overturned, nor should it be.
Updated at 12.02 EST
28 min Liverpool are putting ball after ball into the box but if there’s one thing these Arsenal defenders know how to do and there isn’t, there’s more, it’s clear their lines.
27 min Goodness, there’s some tempo to this now, Calafiori fouling Gakpo; again there’s no carde and the ref has set a standard of permitted foul now. The free-kick causes minor panic and earns a corner, headed on by Van Dijk, Raya doing enough to block Isak’s touch when he sneaks in behind.
David Raya of Arsenal (L) makes a save from Alexander Isak of Liverpool. Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPAShare
Updated at 12.13 EST
25 min The problem Liverpool have is that as they chase an equaliser, they leave themselves vulnerable to conceding a second and, as I type, Tozlis curls to the back post and Madueke is there, extending a leg to divert the ball back across. But just as it looks headed for Havertz, it hits Timber then, seconds later, Rice hammers a shot straight at Alisson.
24 min Mac Allister lasers a ball left to Kerkez, who does well to keep it in but then crosses straight to a defender. So Arsenal move down the other end, Madueke option not to attack Kerkez, instead siding backwards to Bruno, who sweeps into the middle; the ball kicks off Van Dijk’s shin and flies behind, but the ref doesn’t spot the deflection.
22 min Liverpool come again, Gakpo mooching over to the left and sliding in behind for Barcola, who might cut back first time but instead opts to wait, giving the defenders enough time to block the various passing lanes.
20 min Liverpool have been better since falling behind and Wirtz finds Barcola, who steps inside to swing in a brute of a cross, just too much on it for Isak. Bu they come again, Arsenal giving it away and Barcola speeding by Rice on the outside, his low cross intercepted by 176 defenders sliding in to put faces in the way if need be. That’s why they’re champions.
18 min Back come Liverpool, stung. Raya passes out poorly and Barcola seizes the loose ball, but there’s Rice, arriving out of nowhere to make the challenge. In terms of ability, he’s not the greatest around, but his intangibles – desire, nous, leadership, consistency – are top notch.
ShareGOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal (Havertz 16)
A poor pass-out from Alisson puts Liverpool under pressure and Odegaard is first into press, the ball squirting oose. Quickly, Arsenal move it right, Bruno and Tzolis involved, then Rice storms around the outside of Madueke, fed the ball into stride before measuring a perfect cross through the corridor, Havertz running it in at the far post.
Arsenal’s Kai Havertz scores their first goal past Liverpool’s Alisson Becker. Photograph: Phil Noble/ReutersHavertz celebrates scoring. Photograph: Phil Noble/ReutersShare
Updated at 12.24 EST
14 min Arsenal are starting to dominate in midfield, but do they have enough attacking edge to create? Their trio is an attacker short, I think, and I wonder if they might find better chemistry with Guimaraes seeking to control so Rice can gambol forward. Oh, and as I type, they do just that, Rice thwacking high.
13 min “Just because Arteta’s paranoid, doesn’t mean his team didn’t weren’t pipped to first three years running by a club conspiring against the league,” writes Kári Tulinius. “However, because of his personal employment history, he can’t bring that up, and instead talks like the relative you least want to be seated next to at the holiday dinner.”
I’m not sure how much fun he’d be even in different circumstances.
10 min A poor touch from Nyoni, who chases it and this time, introduces studs to heel, Havertz down. Somehow, he once again avoids a booking when really, he’s doing well to still be on the pitch; the first one was a stonewaller and the second wasn’t far off it, while I’ve not a clue how the combination of the two lead to no sanction.
Updated at 11.43 EST
9 min Timber clips a long pass in behind for Havertz but Liverpool catch him offside – not necessarily because theirs is a well-drilled offside trap.
8 min This time, Wirtz pinches possession deep inside his own half and finds Isaka, who punches a pass through the middle for Barcola, one of those speedsters who looks like a flying cartoon character. But Raya is wise to the ruse, racing out to hump clear.
7 min …or not. He goes short, looking for a better angle, and Liverpool clear for a throw, then again when Arsenal probe a second time.
6 min It’s livening up now, Tzolis found in space only to cross directly into the nearest Liverpool foot. But it wins Arsenal a corner down the left, Rice to swing in…
5 min It’s been messy so far but now Liverpool play into Isak, who bounces off to Kerkez. The ball then makes its way back infield and over to Gakpo down the right – Barcola, therefore is on the left – and he drags a shot wide of the far post.
4 min Isak blatantly looks at Gabriel, who collapses holding his face. Gary Neville is every bit as impressed as you’d expect.
3 min “Interesting to see if Arteta has learned anything about the whole technical area thing, coz his ‘dossier’ comments positively reek of someone with zero self-awareness,” reckons Davew Estherby. “It’s not just the leaving of the area, it’s the going on the pitch, blocking players making a run down the wing, interfering with throw-ins, kicking balls away etc that annoys everybody so much. It’s not ‘gamesmanship’, it’s cheating, and he does it every single match.”
Part of me wonders if it’s a lack of self-control more than a mendacious attempt to affect the game – his level of obsession is too much for him to resist.
1 min Liverpool start quickly, Raya forced to clear quickly and leathering into the closing Isak, but the ball flies away to safety nonetheless. Oooh, and when Odegaard finds space in midfield, Nyoni lets the moment control him, lunging and introducing studs to achilles; he’s lucky to avoid a yellow card and really, that was a a yellow plus.
1 min Off we go, Peter Drury already away with alliterative alliteration for reasons known solely to himself.
To mark the Remembrance Season, wreaths are laid, the Last Post played and silence observed.
The Basque managers and friends enjoy a hug and a smile. It’s quite sweet.
Our teams are tunnelled, and here they come!
“Much as it pains me as an Arsenal fan,” begins Charles Antaki, “I think I can offer at least some hope to Matt Dony and others of his Liverpool persuasion; all he needs to do is look at the number nine slot in the Arsenal team. He will find happy encouragement in the display provided for the nation’s entertainment by Kai Havertz against the mighty Fleetwood Town FC . And, if we are continue being mean, Matt will probably chuckle at the sight of his partner in ignominy, Viktor Gyokeres, waiting on the bench as a possible, worse, replacement.”
Talking of which, what did people think of the Dowman controversy? It was, I think, another example of football’s strange morality, in which doing something dangerous that could seriously hurt, is viewed more leniently than petulant revenge.
In terms of the response, I expected a bit more remonstration from Arsenal’s senior players and, though I understand why Arteta opted to teach a lesson about responsibility, I’m surprised it happened in public.
I know he was on the hunt for proven star quality, but I wonder if Arteta regrets not punting on Nicolas Jackson in the summer. His all-round game has always been excellent, he just needed to sort his goal-return, and now he has; I’d pick him ahead of Havertz and Gyokeres without having to think about it.
Sky are talking about Barcola, who has work to do if he’s to become a serious factor. On the counter he’s exceptional, and also able to do the unexpected in settled play. But until his finishing and final ball are reliable, and he’s able to beat men from a standing start, he’ll be a sometimes not an often.
“About Arteta’s dossier,” begins Peter Oh. “If I were in charge at Anfield I would instruct the groundsman to overwater the visitors’ technical area.”
I wonder what other dossiers he has. Perhaps one day he’ll publish the collection.
Meantime, in Scotland, tae Falkirk wi ye Celtic.
Also going on:
I said I don’t love Liverpool’s defence, but what a difference Ronald Araujo has made. His pace and power were sorely needed, and going forward, he’s creating problems both in free play and from set-pieces. If he can make Tzolis run towards his own goal, and I’d expect that to be the plan, he can affect the outcome of this game.
“Trey Nyoni has had to be patient,” emails Matt Dony. “His first appearance was under Klopp, a lifetime ago. But I’m really pleased he’s now getting the chance to properly establish himself. And this as an enormous vote of confidence! Big picture, Arsenal are the better team, and I can’t say I’m hopeful. But these last few weeks, Liverpool have looked different. Iraola is getting there. It looks like his side. Today could be interesting.”
I quite fancy Liverpool for this one. Though I don’t love their defence and think the lack of physicality in midfield might be a problem, they have many more ways to create chances, with possession or out of nothing, plus they’re confident.
Iraola says Nyoni is playing because he’s aggressive, quality, and able to cover ground. Arsenal don’t give you chances, so his team need to be clinical.
The strengths and weaknesses of Liverpool are different to Bournemouth, so the game-pan has to be different – with them, he had a good record against Arsenal. They’re on a run of playing the best teams andhe hopes his team win the duels and one v ones.
As for Arsenal, I do worry about their ability to threaten. They’ll look to take heat out of the game, Guimaraes popping passes about with Odegaard. I think we’ll see Havertz to try and pull about or pin Liverpool’s centre-backs, with Tzolis in particular seeking to come infield and get shots off; when the wingers cross, expect Havertz to attack the front post.
I also imagine Odegaard, a quality eight but less good as a 10, and Rice, will look to run off Nyoni and past Havertz to try and score.
So where is the game? Liverpool will look to get men around the ball when Arsenal have it, opening the pitch for switches should they win possession. And when they don’t, they’ll run like mad to recover it, stretching play and passing forwards, facilitating that by conserving energy every now and again when Nyoni slows the game down.
In particular, I expect they’ll ask Bradley Barcola to target the space left when Riccardo Calafiori goes off on adventures, with Alexander Isak pulling away for cut-backs and shooting quickly with little backlift, while Florian Wirtz looks to slip passes in behind – if he can work quickly enough in the maelstrom of the match.
As for Arsenal, I imagine Lewis-Skelly was very close. His defender’s instinct and ability to run with the ball are superb, but I wonder if Arteta reckoned he has those qualities already, in Declan Rice. What Guimaraes gives, on the other hand, is cannier passing and a better sense of when to go and when to stay.
Otherwise, though Eberechi Eze was fantastic when Palace won at Anfield in 2024, it’s no surprise to see him left out for this one. Arteta prefers predictability to mavericks but also, his ceiling isn’t high enough to compensate for his floor, while Madueke offers pace and directness regardless of how well he’s playing.
Taking a closer look at the teams, save Nyoni, Liverpool are as expected. Like many, no doubt, I’d have loved to see Rio Ngumoha instead of Cody Gakpo, and I don’t think it’ll be long before he establishes himself. For this one, though, I understand why Iraola has gone for a bit more height, physicality, and experience – defensively as well as going forward, and I imagine we’ll see the young man in the final half-hour as legs tire.
Mikel Arteta says “you have to be really precise on those moments” to win at Anfield, which Arsenal haven’t done in some time – September 2012 was the last time in the league.
Arsenal expect a difficult game from Iraola, with a vertical and chaotic game-model. They had various ankle issues after Tuesday’s games, so he was forced to make “certain decisions”, such as starting Tzolis after time out.
Email! “Your reference to monomania,” writes Ian Copestake, had me envisaging Arteta as Ahab emerging from solitude in his cabin to pin on the mast as motivation for his crew in their pursuit of the white whale, a sixteen-dollar gold dossier doubloon. I tell you I would love it if at Anfield the Arsenal manager is indeed donning a peg-leg.”
Mikel Arteta meanwhile, opts for experience in midfield, with Bruno Guimaraes preferred to Myles Lewis-Skelly. Otherwise, with Bukaya Saka injured, it’s Noni Madueke not Eberechi Eze on the right wing, while Christos Tzolis returns from six weeks out to play on the left.
Exciting news as regards the Liverpool XI: Trey Nyoni, impressive in pre-season and when he’s played so far this, is handed a first Premier League start. That it’s in a game of this magnitude tells us how highly he’s rated by his manager, and tells Ryan Gravenberch that the competition has arrived. I really like what I’ve seen of him, and I expect him to establish himself as a regular starter.
ShareTeams!
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Barcola, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak. Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Szoboszlai, Tsimikas, Munoz, Gravenberch, Koumas, Ngumoha.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Guimaraes, Odegaard; Madueke, Havertz, Tzolis. Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, White, Hincapie, Eze, Gyokeres, Merino, Zubimendi, Lewis-Skelly.
Referee: Andy Madley (Huddersfield)
Updated at 10.35 EST
BREAKING NEWS: this is a match Sky deem of sufficient import to merit a portentous monologue. Paul Bettany obliges.
SharePreamble
So much of life is luck: when we’re born, where we’re born and to whom we’re born; the the skills we have; who we meet and when we meet them.
Liverpool have lost one game this season. On the Premier League’s opening weekend, they needed a penalty in ninth minute of injury time for a point at Newcastle, recently benefitted from Brentford having two players sent off and, in midweek, Emmanuel Emegha missed a penalty that would’ve sent Chelsea past them in the League Cup.
Arsenal, meanwhile, spent chunks of last season struggling to score from open play, benefiting from avant-garde refereeing calls at set-pieces – one in particular when the title felt in the balance – and the absence of high-class challengers. In the annals of champions, they are not proximate to the greatest, yet Mikel Arteta’s men have every chance of doing what Arsène Wenger’s legends could not: retain a league title.
That, though, is only half of the story. Just as being blessed with intelligence and looks, helpful neurochemistry and secure home environment, is nothing whatsoever to do with those lucky enough to experience them, so finding the devotion, composure, discipline and focus to exploit that happy chance is within our gift. Who we are is genetics and circumstance, but also, who we are is a choice we’re able to make every single day.
While Andoni Iraola bedded in as Liverpool manager, his team persevered in the early stages, making the most of the opportunities which presented to establish standards and momentum, such that now, with the new manager’s methods taking effect, they’re well placed to impose the natural talent that suffuses their squad.
Arsenal, meanwhile, became champions thanks principally to monomaniacal resolve, separating themselves from the rest with their unity and organisation. Without that, it wouldn’t have mattered what was going on elsewhere; because of it, they’ve earned the freedom to express themselves in more expansive style.
Consequently, this afternoon’s match should be a belter, two teams making the most of what they give and what’s been given to them. Liverpool play the faster, more improvisational game, with Arsenal bringing the solidity and certainty they lack; Arsenal are certain they can take the title, while Liverpool will be starting to think it possible.
For either side, a win today would be a statement – to themselves as much as to everyone else. And ultimately, for all that goes on around us, what really defines what we make of life is how we perceive ourselves.
Kick-off: 4.30pm GMT