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Liverpool logo
Premier League
Mar 4, 2017 at 5.30pm UK
 
Arsenal logo

3-1

Firmino (9'), Mane (40'), Wijnaldum (91')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Welbeck (57')

Live Commentary: Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League.
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Liverpool have moved into third place in the Premier League table with a 3-1 victory over Arsenal.

Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane gave the Merseyside giants a first-half lead, but Danny Welbeck halved the deficit after the restart.

However, Georginio Wijnaldum sealed the three points in added-on time as Liverpool recorded yet another positive result over one of their rivals for a top-four place.

Read below to see how the action unfolded at Anfield.


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Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Liverpool and Arsenal.

What an afternoon it has been. Manchester United have already being held to a draw by Bournemouth. Tyrone Mings and Zlatan Ibrahimovic both face retrospective action for a stamp and elbow respectively, Ibrahimovic has missed a penalty and in Swansea's game with Burnley, the Clarets have won a penalty for their own player handling the ball. What next in the crazy world of the Premier League?

I need to try to preview this game over the next 90 minutes but with so much happening, it may be difficult. What we do have is two teams who would have been delighted with United's draw earlier today. At one stage, it appeared inevitable that United would move into the top four of the standings but the draw means that both Liverpool and Arsenal remain in fourth and fifth respectively. Both teams would perhaps be content with a point but the incentive is there to try to steal a march on United and their opponents this evening.

LATEST! As far as the 3pm kickoffs are concerned, it's all about the bottom of the table but let's bring you all of the latest scores. Remember, you can follow many of the games with our live commentaries, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Leicester City 1-1 Hull City, Stoke City 2-0 Middlesbrough, Swansea City 1-1 Burnley, Watford 1-2 Southampton, West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Crystal Palace.


We are still just over 10 minutes away from finding out the two teams but let's consider who Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger may select. You'd expect Klopp to make alterations after watching his side lose out to Leicester City on Monday night, but he also knows that his star men have done the business against the top teams in the Premier League this season.

As for Arsenal, you'd assume that Wenger will ditch any attempt to overturn a four-goal deficit against Bayern Munich on Tuesday to prioritise this match. Mesut Ozil is supposed to be absent but given his recent form, that may prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Gunners. It will also be interesting to see who lines up in the middle of the park. Mohamed Elneny is a big miss in a game such as this one.


There may be a point separating the two teams in the table but both teams are in a position to move into third place with victory this evening. Arsenal are able to move level on points with Tottenham Hotspur but they would need to triumph by a wide margin in order to overtake their North London rivals.

Before we bring you the team news, we strongly recommend that you read our match report from the game at Old Trafford. It was an incredible game which saw Bournemouth hold on for 45 minutes plus added-on time with 10 men after the harsh dismissal of Surman. It was one of a few controversial decisions made by referee Kevin Friend.

The team news from Anfield is due any minute. We will bring it to you as soon as we get it.

LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Klavan, Milner, Wijnaldum, Can, Lallana, Coutinho, Mane, Firmino

LIVERPOOL SUBSTITUTES: Karius, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Lucas, Origi, Woodburn

ARSENAL XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Xhaka, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Welbeck, Giroud

ARSENAL SUBSTITUTES: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Ramsey, Walcott, Sanchez, Perez

We'll get to that Arsenal starting lineup in a minute, but firstly, let's look at Liverpool as Klopp hands a start to Ragnar Klavan in place of Lucas. However, Dejan Lovren has not recovered in time to feature from the start. Liverpool line up as you would expect further forward with Daniel Sturridge ruled out through injury.

Right then, Arsenal. This will go down as one of Wenger's boldest calls of his managerial career. Alexis Sanchez only features on the bench, as does Theo Walcott. All things considered, it's a staggering decision, especially in the case of Sanchez. The likes of Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud will feel as though they deserve a start but surely they would not have expected to feature in the XI this evening. If it pays off, then Wenger will be seen as a genius, but if Arsenal don't achieve a result tonight, the Frenchman can expect the fiercest of criticism.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's game represents the 212th time in which these two teams have faced each other in a competitive contest, with Liverpool having the narrow edge with 84 wins compared to 78. The last dozen fixtures have seen all three results, but Liverpool head into this game having avoided defeat in each of their last three games with Arsenal.

The full-time whistles are starting to go in each of the 3pm games. We will bring you the results very shortly. There have been a number of late goals...

This season, Sanchez has started 31 games in the Premier League and Champions League, scoring 20 goals and providing 11 assists. On paper, it seems the barmiest of decisions to relegate him to the substitutes' bench for a game of this magnitude. We are yet to hear if there is more to Wenger's call but if it's purely tactical, you have to wonder what his thinking is. Arsenal do have Bayern Munich in the second leg of their European tie in midweek but he surely can't be prioritising a match where they are already trailing 5-1. Keep a look out for quotes from the long-serving Arsenal boss later.

RESULTS! Leicester City 3-1 Hull City, Stoke City 2-0 Middlesbrough, Swansea City 3-2 Burnley, Watford 3-4 Southampton, West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Crystal Palace.

Leicester and Crystal Palace win again. Middlesbrough lose again. Southampton win a seven-goal thriller and Swansea edge out Burnley in the last minute. Catch all of the results by clicking here.


Both of these teams are competing at the top end of the table but as far as the form standings are concerned, they find themselves in eighth and 14th place respectively. It must be concerning for both their managers because they were exceptional during the opening stages of the season. For whatever reason, the tables have turned and they are now having to grind out results. Click here to take a look at a whole host of other stats ahead of this game.

You may have read an article in the week regarding the amount of different centre-back partnerships which Liverpool have had under Klopp. I can't remember the exact number but it's roughly around 16 since October 2015. The German has been hindered to some degree, but he probably deserves the criticism which is currently coming his way. The club's supporters don't expect to see Lucas Leiva having to fill in at the back when there are injuries. Joe Gomez must wonder what he needs to do to earn a chance in the Premier League after recovering from a serious knee injury. He hasn't been seen since the FA Cup defeat to Wolves and he doesn't feature in the 18-man squad tonight. As far as everyone is aware, there are no fitness concerns, he just finds himself that far down the pecking order.

PREDICTION! Tough one to call, this. As much as we have hinted that we don't agree with Wenger's decision to drop Sanchez, we are focusing on the fact that Arsenal still have Giroud and Welbeck in attack and we think that they could have too much for an out-of-form backline. We are predicting a 3-1 win, with Sanchez netting a late third on the break to justify his manager's decision.

Before the two teams make their way out at Anfield, let's remind you what happened the last time they met, with the game ending in a 4-3 win for Liverpool. It was a helluva game at the Emirates Stadium with Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane both scoring memorable goals either side of the break. To reminisce before kickoff, click here.

Here come the two sides to the chants of "Liverpool, Liverpool". It's going to be difficult for Arsenal fans to make their presence felt this evening. A goal or two may help that.

Arsenal get us underway at Anfield.

It's been a bright start from the home side who have Can to thank for getting Firmino to the byline. Liverpool earn a corner and it's panic stations inside the penalty area but the Gunners eventually clear.

Giroud does superbly to get the better of Can and lead an Arsenal break-away but he is just too far away to finish the move with a header at the back post. Good start from both teams.

Arsenal may be without their best player but you wouldn't know it. They are playing with a certain swagger in the final third of the pitch. Maybe it benefits them from not always searching for Sanchez or expecting him to do something special?

GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal (Firmino)

Of course, playing with a swagger in attack means nothing if you are going to concede soft goals. The ball is swept out to Mane on the right side of the penalty area and after his cross somehow finds its way to Firmino at the back post, he keeps his composure to fire into the roof of the net from close range.

Arsenal are straight back into possession but Liverpool's pressing game is starting to come to the fore and they are making it difficult for the Gunners to get the ball into Giroud. This is turning into a tactical battle, rather than a back-and-forth encounter which many would have expected.

Chances are still few and far between in this game but Arsenal look wary of Liverpool's threat in the final third. Their passes aren't always finding their target but this is a different Liverpool side which wilted against Leicester.

What Arsenal are missing is Sanchez's work-rate when Liverpool have the ball. Giroud has his strengths but he isn't chasing down the Liverpool backline. They are spraying the ball about on the halfway line under very little pressure.

We aren't able to bring you anything different than details of either side looking fancy in the final third without much of a cutting edge. There's still only been that one real effort on goal, which was Firmino's opener.

Giroud has been struggling with a knock for the last few minutes but Sanchez isn't among the substitutes warming up. You have to feel that something must have gone on behind the scenes. It's all very strange, isn't it?

SHOT! Better from Liverpool. The referee plays a fantastic advantage and the ball ends up at the feet of Coutinho around 20 yards out. The Brazilian switches the ball onto his left foot but his well-struck effort is tipped over by Cech. Sanchez is out warming up now.

It's taken a while but Liverpool's front four are starting to link up in tandem now and Arsenal are struggling to cope. Coutinho is warming into the game, too, and he is denied another shot on goal by a fine block from a defender.

BOOKING! Coquelin is the first man into the book for a shirt pull on Lallana. Klopp wasn't amused.

We still aren't seeing anything of Arsenal as an attacking force. Their one shot came from a Xhaka volley which went high into the stand. You'd have to expect changes at the break. Liverpool are still going about their business in the same manner.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Arsenal (Mane)

Liverpool have their second and it's a class goal. Milner to Wijnaldum to Firmino, who deceives the defender before spraying the ball out to Mane, who has space on the opposite side of the penalty area. He takes a touch before lashing the ball into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

Liverpool were almost in again soon after the goal but Lallana's through-ball was over-hit and it went out for a goal kick. He should have given Coutinho the chance to cross in that situation.

CHANCE! What a chance for Liverpool to score a third! They get a bit of luck as a ball over the top is deflected into the path of Coutinho, but the Brazilian brings down the ball before clipping it straight at Cech from 12 yards. It should be 3-0.

There will be two minutes of added-on time.

HALF TIME: Liverpool 2-0 Arsenal

The half-time whistle goes at Anfield and Liverpool fully deserve to be leading 2-0. Arsenal have been abysmal and it's almost inevitable that we will see Alexis Sanchez after the break. The Gunners have put in one of their worst 45 minutes of the season.

Liverpool get us back underway. As expected, Sanchez is on, with Coquelin the man to be withdrawn.

CHANCE! Arsenal come within a whisker of halving the deficit. A cross into the middle from Sanchez finds Giroud and his header, which seems destined for the top corner, is tipped onto the crossbar by Mignolet before he claims the ball at the second attempt.

Arsenal have been much more adventurous at the start of this second half. They are yet to create another chance but Sanchez is having an immediate impact.

Coutinho produces several pieces of skill on the edge of the penalty area before earning a free kick. That was sublime. He steps up to take the set piece but the ball goes straight into the wall.

GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal (Welbeck)

It's game on at Anfield! Welbeck gets the goal after lifting the ball over an advancing Mignolet from 12 yards but it is all about the pass from Sanchez, who picked out the run of his teammate.

We are an hour into this game and it has a completely different complexion to the one at half time. Liverpool look scared every time that Sanchez gets the ball and his presence is stopping Clyne from getting forward. There's definitely another goal in this.

SHOT! Clyne appears in an attacking position! What are the chances? Mane sends the ball through to the right-back but rather than cross into the middle, he shoots towards the near post and his effort goes over the crossbar.

BOOKING! Can commits the most blatant foul you will ever see to stop Sanchez in his tracks. The referee played advantage but with Sanchez out of the way, the move petered out.

We are into the final 20 minutes and both teams are still pushing forward. Sanchez has been successful in keeping Clyne in defensive areas but Liverpool still aren't taking a backwards step. Their front four have been fantastic.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Wenger makes his final two changes as Theo Walcott and Lucas Perez replaced Welbeck and Giroud. Just before their arrival, Coutinho fired over from 20 yards. He would have expected to hit the target.

CHANCE! That should be the game for Liverpool. Coutinho swings in the perfect set piece for Matip at the back post but he mis-times his header and Cech makes an easy save.

SUBSTITUTION! Coutinho is the first man to be withdrawn by Klopp with Divock Origi coming on in his place.

WOODWORK! Liverpool come so close to a third! A free kick from the left finds the head of Origi but his glancing header hits the base of the post and is cleared.

It's still all Liverpool to a large extent. Arsenal look threatening on the odd flurry forward but the home side are still looking for that third goal. Just three minutes to go plus added-on time.

There will be three minutes of added-on time. It's a big three minutes in the season for both sides.

GOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal (Wijnaldum)

Game over. Liverpool launch a counter-attack through Lallana, who bides his time before releasing Origi down the right. The Belgian runs down the right flank before supplying the perfect cross for Wijnaldum to fire into the corner from 12 yards.

FULL TIME: Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal

The full-time whistle goes at Anfield and Liverpool secure a deserved victory over Arsenal to move into third place in the table. How big a result could this be at the end of the season?! Wenger is sure to have to answer questions over Sanchez's demotion to the bench. The risk didn't pay off.

That will be all from Sports Mole from this game. Thank you for joining us this evening and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye for now.

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Arsenal forward Lucas Perez in action during the EFL Cup clash with Reading at the Emirates Stadium on October 25, 2016
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


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