Arsene Wenger: 'Arsenal lacked rhythm in defeat to Liverpool'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has conceded that his side did not play with the right rhythm following their 3-1 humbling at the hands of Liverpool in the Premier League.

The Frenchman's plan to drop striker Alexis Sanchez seemingly backfired as the Gunners were defeated on the road, as one of the only bright points for the visitors was the introduction of the Chilean to set up Danny Welbeck's solitary goal.

"Our performance was not at the level we expect in the first half but that is down to a lack of rhythm, we have not played for a while," Wenger said after the game, according to BBC Sport.

"The collective response was very strong in the second half."

The defeat leaves Arsenal sitting in fifth place in the standings after 26 games played this season.