Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Three wins out of three and the early Premier League pacesetters – no wonder a number of SBOBET followers fancy Liverpool to end their title drought this time around.
This win was not only deserved but also equalled their 29-year-old club record of a 12th league win in a row on a ground where they haven’t been beaten in the top flight for two years and 123 days.
Yes, Arsenal – themselves looking to win their opening three games of a top-flight season for the first time since 2004 – helped the hosts on their way.
But it was clear these two sides are at different stages of the development process, and home boss Jurgen Klopp is now unbeaten against Arsenal in eight Premier League clashes.
Highlights of the game
We asked beforehand if Arsenal could end their Anfield hoodoo against a side who have scored against them for fun in recent years.
We also knew this was the first real test Arsenal were facing in 2019/2020.
While it proved that way, the Gunners held out at first and even threatened themselves.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could have opened the scoring when a mix-up between Adrián and Virgil van Dijk saw the goalkeeper’s attempted clearance land at his feet. But his looping attempt from the edge of the area drifted narrowly wide of an unguarded net.
Club record signing Nicolas Pepe then shot straight at Adrian after running clear.
The visitors were within four minutes of the break when Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip powerfully headed home from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner.
If the game was still evenly poised at the interval, it took a decisive turn soon afterwards.
David Luiz, whose transfer from Chelsea just over a fortnight ago was mocked by some, gave further credibility to those who questioned his arrival.
His tug on Mohamed Salah’s shirt early in the second half was so obvious it was like a caricature of some of his forgettable moments at Stamford Bridge.
The Premier League 2019 betting odds favoured Salah to step up and convert the penalty and that’s exactly what he did.
The Egyptian then produced some more of his personal Premier League 2019 highlights to leave Luiz flat-footed and seal the victory as he produced a fine weaving run and slide-rule finish for the third.
Arsenal were overwhelmed, and while substitute Lucas Torreira grabbed a late consolation, the result was not in doubt as the Londoners lost yet again to one of their fellow top-six clubs.
That is eight points out of 69 in away games against their so-called rivals since they last beat a top club away from home.
Liverpool, who have also beaten Southampton and Norwich in their opening three games, have made a perfect start to the new season.
It was asked before kick-off which player had made the most impact in this clash during the Premier League years.
There’s been no shortage of star names, but Salah may have just added his own to the pedigree of his predecessors.
Key statistics
Salah has been directly involved in seven goals in his six Premier League appearances against Arsenal (five goals, two assists), scoring in all four of his home games against them.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last nine matches against Arsenal. The Gunners are without a win in their last seven league games at Anfield and have conceded at least two goals in each of those matches (25 in total).
Liverpool have not lost a Premier League match at Anfield since a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace pn April 2017, which is a span of 42 matches.
The Gunners are without a win in their last 23 Premier League away fixtures against other ‘Big Six’ teams; a 2-0 victory at Manchester City in January 2015 was their last away triumph.
Liverpool have scored 22 headed goals in the Premier League since the start of last season, seven more than any other side. The Reds have scored three in this campaign already.
Only Everton at Arsenal (64) have conceded more away goals against a single opponent in the Premier League than Arsenal at Liverpool (62).
Alexander-Arnold has assisted nine goals in his past 10 appearances at Anfield for Liverpool in all competitions, including one in each of his past five competitive home games.
Pepe has become the first player to successfully dribble past van Dijk in the Dutch defender’s previous 50 appearances in the Premier League for the Merseysiders.
What’s next?
Liverpool travel to Burnley to face Sean Dyche’s side next weekend, while it’s another big one for Arsenal as they entertain Spurs in the first North London derby of the season.
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