Liverpool made it three wins from three in the Premier League at Anfield, as they beat Arsenal 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.
The opening half hour was end-to-end football, as both sides threatened to take the lead. Nicolas Pepe was leading the way for Arsenal, with some excellent dribbling and a few decent chances as he made his first start for the Gunners.
Nicolas Pépé is the first player to successfully dribble past Virgil van Dijk in the Premier League since Mikel Merino did so in March 2018.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 24, 2019
50-game streak ended. pic.twitter.com/QqAx93dDBK
Nicolas Pepe looks promising.#LIVARS
— Derric Omwakwe (@Houdini_Omwakwe) August 24, 2019
First time seeing Nicolas Pepe and this boy is quality on the ball
— Oobie (@UbiiKillinEm) August 24, 2019
Liverpool struck first five minutes before half-time, thanks to a towering header from Joel Matip. Trent Alexander-Arnold whipped it in to the box, and the Cameroonian jumped highest to thump it home and put the Reds in front going into the break.
GGGOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! GET IN THERE BIG JOEL!!! #LIVARS pic.twitter.com/aeVzhIbrj7
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 24, 2019
CAN’T CROSS?? GET INNNN MATIPP!!
— (@ChrisvLFC) August 24, 2019
Most underrated CB in the league matip is
— Mohammad (@MoGhachame) August 24, 2019
Conceding from a corner after defending well for 40 mins. Arsenal why you do this to me.
— LTArsenal™ (@ltarsenal) August 24, 2019
As the second half began, Arsenal looked like they could get themselves back into the game. That was until just three minutes after the restart, when they conceded a penalty. David Luiz pulled Mohamed Salah's shirt when he was through on goal, and the Reds got a chance to double their lead.
Salah stepped up to take the penalty he won and produced the perfect spot kick, sending Bernd Leno the wrong way and firing it into the top corner. It gave the hosts a comfortable 2-0 lead with over half an hour to play as Arsenal were punished for their poor defending.
Mo Salah giving lessons in how to take a penalty! Thumping the ball into the top corner, no keeper was going to stop that!#LIVARS pic.twitter.com/Tef0sCb6TX
— 90min (@90min_Football) August 24, 2019
SALAH MATE THAT PENALTY
— Ellis (@ETDesigns_) August 24, 2019
David Luiz so unnecessary
— LTArsenal™ (@ltarsenal) August 24, 2019
Argh. And there it is. The downside of David Luiz.
— FK ☕️ (@fkhanage) August 24, 2019
Not long after, Liverpool made it three thanks to Salah once again. While his first goal was a picture perfect penalty, his second was a dazzling piece of skill as he burst forward into the box and slotted home to make it three and punish a sleeping Arsenal side.
WHAT. A. GOAL!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/tETJdQ0ycz
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 24, 2019
Mohamed Salah's @premierleague record v Arsenal
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) August 24, 2019
Mar 2014 ⚽️
Aug 2017 ⚽️️
Dec 2017 ⚽️
Nov 2018 ❌
Dec 2018 ⚽️️
Aug 2019 ⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/rWGSh2iExY
Poor again from Luiz, but superb from the brilliant @MoSalah.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 24, 2019
SALAHHH BEST IN THE LEAGUE
— '' (@lfcethxn) August 24, 2019
Arsenal deservedly pulled one back in the 85th minute, as substitute Lucas Torreira fired his shot low into the bottom corner. However, it was too little too late for the Gunners, as Liverpool saw out a convincing victory at Anfield.
Lucas Torreira pulls one back!
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 24, 2019
3-1 (85)#LIVARS pic.twitter.com/9tlhGBVNPD
Torreira has pulled a goal back for Arsenal with 5 minutes remaining, can they get another before the game ends?#LIVARS
— 90min (@90min_Football) August 24, 2019
Torreira fights for this badge man i love him
— S (@TorreiraXi) August 24, 2019
Torreira should be one of the first names in the starting XI
— Hesham (@HeshamHov) August 24, 2019
Liverpool are back in action next Saturday, travelling to Turf Moor to face Burnley. Arsenal face a mouth-watering tie next, with the north London derby as Tottenham visit the Emirates on 1 September.
Source : 90min