No identity crisis as Klopp’s men crush Arsenal completely

JURGEN KLOPP perfectly summed up this enthralling contest and the key to Liverpool’s dominance.

“Our identity is intensity,” the manager said. “We had to impose that on Arsenal, and that’s exactly what the boys did.”

Klopp’s side had to break Arsenal, he said. Break them physically.

And they did so in such a complete manner that it sent out a message to the rest of the Premier League, not just their demoralised visitors.

Klopp said Liverpool had been searching for their true form in the opening games, so he turned them loose with a clear instruction on Saturday.

“The intention was to be us – just be us,” said Klopp. “The intensity we put into the game was really incredible.

“An opponent of the quality of Arsenal, you have to break somehow. Break them physically, yes.

“And we did. I said at half-time to the boys, ‘How do you think they feel?’ It was such an intense first half there was no time to breathe. I like that.”

Liverpool’s first two goals came from Trent Alexander-Arnold crosses, with the third started by him in space on the right.

Arsenal had two chances when still in the game. Nicolas Pepe, starting for the first time in a striking position he had never played before, shot at Adrian and PierreEmerick Aubameyang lifted wide after the goalkeeper’s mistake.

Two-goal Mohamed Salah then had David Luiz on toast.

His second goal, turning the defender on the halfway line and racing into the box to score, was cruel.

Klopp seemed to aim a gentle prod in Unai Emery’s direction at the Gunners’ negative tactics.

“I saw their teamsheet and thought it could be a diamond, but I didn’t think they would play Pepe in a different position in his first game.”