Klopp and Arteta are the talk of the touchline and ... BEST OF ENEMIES
JURGEN KLOPP was sent crashing to the ground in his technical area, but it wasn’t because his tempestuous rivalry with Mikel Arteta had gotten out of hand.
Klopp’s fall was a result of colliding with his own player, Kostas Tsimikas. It was in keeping with a frenetic title clash at Anfield in which the two managers tried, but didn’t always manage, to keep their emotions in check.
Klopp and Arteta are the most animated managers in the Premier League and once squared up to each other during a game.
Arteta was also considered fortunate to escape FA punishment for his rant after Arsenal’s defeat at Newcastle in November, while Klopp has a suspended ban hanging over him for a tirade at referee Paul Tierney last season.
With Anfield rocking, both managers were conscious not to let their antics come across badly to a worldwide global audience, but the drama meant they couldn’t contain their feelings. Neither man stayed on his best behaviour for 90 minutes, but it was good to see them share a hug at the final whistle.
BAD BOYS BEHAVE
ARTETA was more expressive, though Klopp couldn’t contain himself in the second half with some imploring chats to the fourth official Craig Pawson.
The biggest call of the first-half saw Martin Odegaard stumble and handle the ball. Klopp was 60 yards away, but joined in Mo Salah’s appeal, putting his hands to his head. When Arsenal’s penalty shout arrived late on for a push on Kai Havertz, Arteta stretched his arms out to their full span.
Klopp finally snapped at the fourth official Pawson near the end when Salah disputed a foul and was cautioned for dissent. The German then punched the air in anger when the already-booked Bukayo Saka didn’t get a red card after slipping into Ryan Gravenberch.
Klopp had been seething from the moment Tsimikas was fouled by Saka. The Liverpool manager had a word with referee Chris Kavanagh, disappointed Saka wasn’t sanctioned for the challenge, while Tsimikas had to leave the pitch injured.
KLOPP 5/10 ARTETA 7/10 POSITIVITY PAYS OFF
ARTETA engaged with his coaching staff and used breaks in play to dish out instructions, Declan Rice being a regular visitor to the touchline. There was encouragement throughout. The Spaniard’s positive approach paid dividends with
Arsenal looking the hungrier side and taking the early lead through Gabriel.
Klopp was uncharacteristically muted in comparison, but Salah’s equaliser was greeted with some fist pumps and he became more engaged in a pulsating second half, looking as if he was ready to celebrate the winner when Trent Alexander-Arnold hit the crossbar. KLOPP 7/10 ARTETA 8/10
TACTICAL COHESION
KLOPP’S big call was to start Cody Gakpo ahead of Darwin Nunez
down the middle. Alexander-Arnold spent his time in midfield.
Arteta came with his own plan — Havertz was pushed up to support Gabriel Jesus and wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Saka tracked back so they were often in a line with Rice and Odegaard.
The more cohesive football came from Arsenal, but there was one match-up Liverpool won handsdown: left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko couldn’t match Salah.
KLOPP 7/10 ARTETA 8/10 YOUNG GUN MAKES HIS POINT
KLOPP was calm in the first half. He had given a rousing speech in the build-up for Liverpool’s supporters to be noisier and maybe that had been a ploy — use Anfield as an extra voice, allowing him to concentrate on the details.
Arteta has gained a reputation for going too far backing his players, but the Arsenal manager got the balance right at Anfield. He’s still a managerial novice compared with Klopp, but he stood toe-to-toe on enemy territory and will feel the point gained to be Christmas No1 was well deserved.
KLOPP 7/10 ARTETA 8/10
SUBS MISS SUPER FINISH
KLOPP gave Liverpool fans what they wanted by sending on Nunez midway through the second half with Harvey Elliott, the Reds’ super sub.
Arteta turned to his bench at the same time, with Leandro Trossard replacing Martinelli — craft for pace.
Nunez has gone a dozen games without a goal and when he headed over the bar Klopp almost sunk to his knees in disbelief.