In the 18th round of the Premier League, Liverpool drew 1-1 with Arsenal at home, still maintaining a one-point gap with the top of the table. According to The Times: It was a Premier League matchday that made Manchester City happy, and they didn't even have to play themselves to give themselves a better chance of winning the title. But that doesn't mean the 90 minutes of action are bad news for both Liverpool and Arsenal.
1: Formation: Gakpo and Salah are not as good as Nunez.
After Nunez's 11-game run goalless streak, Gakpo took his place in the starting line-up, but Gakpo and Salah seem to have a lack of chemistry and are inferior to Nunez on this point.
In the 68th minute of the second half, Uncle Scumbag made adjustments, Nunez, Elliott, and Hrafenberg replaced Gakpo, Dias, and Jones respectively. At this time, Liverpool's forward position, Nunez is still playing on the left side as he did against West Ham in midweek!Salah moved to the middle and Elliott played on the right wing.
Midfielder Curtis Jones retained his start thanks to a midweek brace, but it was difficult to impress too much in this game.
2: About the goal conceded in the opening 4 minutes:
Liverpool's defence on the ball was problematic, with no one competing for the ball, and goalkeeper Alisson hesitated to attack.
Of course, Arsenal have once again shown their skills from set-pieces, with them scoring the most from set-pieces in the Premier League this season.
3: Salah's goal: Hope to renew Salah's contract as soon as possible.
Trent Alexander-Arnold once again showed his unrivalled ability to create killing chances with long passes, and Mohamed Salah once again proved his finishing ability against strong teams and in tough battles.
Mohamed Salah is not only an indispensable man in Liverpool's attack, but he is also impressed by his desire to win at all times throughout the game. I hope Liverpool will make their own gesture as soon as possible and come up with a sincere contract extension as soon as possible, and I believe Salah is willing to stay.
4: Tsimikas is injured and retired: The winter window needs to be replenished.
Tsimikas will miss a few months with a broken collarbone, Robertson is not expected to return until January, and Gomez will play at left-back in the near future.
With Matip and Tsimikas both sidelined for long periods of time, it could make Liverpool reconsider whether to bring in defenders in the winter window.
The main four in the back line is Gomez van Dijk Konate Alexander-Arnold, while the 20-year-old is the only substitute.
5: Arsenal luckily escaped a penalty:
This goal, I think even Arsenal fans will admit, Arsenal "basketball team" was very lucky to escape the penalty.
The reason why the ball was not awarded a penalty was that the referee did not see the handball, so VAR needed a "clear and obvious error" to overturn the referee's decision, and the VAR referee's subjective opinion was that it was okay not to award a penalty for this goal. This can also be seen from the statement of the referees association after the game, who did not regard the omission as a mistake or mistake.
6: Endo has proven itself.
If Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk were in line with expectations, two have exceeded expectations and have been consistently good in recent games.
First of all, Endo. If the last round against Manchester United, Endo Hang's position is not under much pressure, the strength and pursuit of this opponent Arsenal is not the same, this game he showed his ability in the confrontation with Arsenal midfield, the performance is very convincing, in the two consecutive tough battles with Manchester United and Arsenal, Endo proved himself.
McAllister was sidelined with injury at the height of the Premier League's schedule, but Endo has lived up to his mission and has already shown the value of the £16million deal in the summer window.
Endo's performance also allows Liverpool to have more options and rotation in the No. 6 position after McAllister's comeback in the future. Liverpool's failure to win in both Premier League games is disappointing, but Endo's performance is a welcome point.
7: Gomez deserves praise.
Gomez is another player who deserves praise in addition to Endo. Not only today, but after a few recent substitute appearances, he has been very resolute. Especially in assists, he has repeatedly made people feel amazing, and today a shot in the penalty area hit the outside of the far corner post and popped up, allowing Uncle Slag to lead the fans on the sidelines to cheer for him.
Gomez came off the bench for 35 minutes but was the player with the most tackles (six) and clearances (five) in the team.
Gomez has shown his professional attitude and good mentality, he dares to fight, he dares to make moves, he executes resolutely, and he has been at his best at Liverpool recently, and it is reassuring to hand him at left-back for the time being.
8: For the result of the draw: Liverpool are also confident.
It was clear that Arsenal were the more happy side for the draw and Arteta's body language was evident at the final whistle.
Liverpool's hugely controversial penalty and a Trent Alexander-Arnold counter-attack hit the crossbar were really uncomfortable, but let's not forget that Arsenal also had a one-on-one Saka effort saved by Alisson, and Martinelli's follow-up shot was almost empty.
Mikel Arteta will have thought after the game that Arsenal had gained more confidence and a more optimistic title prospect from the draw at Anfield, but this is not the case for Liverpool
Don't forget, this Arsenal team was built and started at least a year before this Liverpool team. Arsenal already had the ability to compete with Manchester City for the title last season, and this summer they have spent nearly 200 million on top of that. In the match against perhaps the best form in the Premier League at the moment, Liverpool not only could go toe-to-toe, but also suppressed their opponents in the second half. Arsenal haven't had a shot on target after four minutes of scoring, which is a testament to Liverpool's ability.
As Jurgen Klopp said after the game: "Oh my God, Arsenal are too strong, but the good news is that we are just as strong. ”