Ole lets rip over pile up
Kop blunders gift points to Gunners
lowest points total ever in a 38-game season – no matter how many games they win from this point.
And with their Champions League dreams already effectively over, it’s really about looking ahead to next season for Arteta.
It wasn’t a defender but a goalkeeper messing things up early on though when Emi Martinez, under no pressure, hit a clearance straight at Roberto Firmino.
The Brazilian stuck out a boot and Martinez watched in horror as the rebound just clipped the outside of the post instead of going in.
Liverpool didn’t have much longer to wait. Mane’s opener was slick and wellworked, with Firmino and Andy Robertson both involved. But none of
Arsenal’s defenders offered even a weak tackles as the visitors tore them apart.
It was then that Van Dijk handed the Gunners a lifeline, playing a terrible backpass under pressure from Nelson.
Lacazette was on it in a flash to beat Alisson and drag his side level, and they went in front before half-time.
Whatever was wrong with Van Dijk must have been catching because this time it was the Reds keeper who played a bad pass, with Lacazette feeding Nelson.
The Arsenal goal led a charmed life at the start of the second half with a spot of pinball resulting in three blocks and the home side clearing the danger.
Martinez then tipped over an effort from Mo Salah as Klopp’s frustration grew, with referee Paul Tierney waving away penalty
Minamino.
Klopp couldn’t believe what he was seeing by the time Salah sent a free header from a Mane cross straight into the waiting arms of Martinez.
It was Van Dijk’s turn to miss next, heading a good chance wide of the far post from a Robertson cross.
ARSENAL (3-4-3): Martinez 6; Holding 5, Luiz 5, Tierney 6; Soares 6 (Maitland-niles 74), Torreira 6 (Ceballos 57, 6), Xhaka 6, Saka 6; Nelson 7 (Willock 57, 6), Lacazette 7 (Aubameyang 57, 6), Pepe 6. Subs: Bellerin, Sokratis, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Macey.
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson 5; Alexander-arnold 6, Van Dijk 5, Gomez 6, Robertson 7; Oxlade-chamberlain 5 (Keita 61), Fabinho 6, Wijnaldum 6; Mane 8, Firmino 7 (Minamino 61), Salah 6. Subs: Lovren, Adrian, Shaqiri, Origi, Jones, Elliott, Williams.
REFEREE: Paul Tierney 6. claims from
Takumi
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■ the cards well. We’ve not really played every three days, but we definitely will now – 48 hours is a big difference at this time of the season.”
The Manchester United boss blames the fixture schedulers for their big problem.
United travel to Crystal Palace tonight in a game they must win to maintain their hopes of securing a top-four finish and Champions League place.
The prize at stake means they can’t afford to rest any of their key players ahead of Sunday’s game.
It doesn’t help United’s cause that Frank Lampard and his side are also competing for a top four finish, along with their final league opponents Leicester.
Solskjaer’s main gripe is that Chelsea were allowed to host Norwich on Tuesday – giving them extra rest and preparation time.
He said: “It’s not fair. We spoke about a fair scheduling going into this restart and of course this isn’t.
“But I have to think about Thursday, winning that one, focusing on that one, and then picking up the pieces after that.
“We’ve not been handed four aces, put it that way.”
Despite knowing the Blues will have had more rest, Solskjaer has warned his London rivals that his stars feel fitter than ever.
He added: “The next two weeks will be hectic but then again we’re fit, very fit. Our lads have not felt as fit as this for years.
“The way the coaches and fitness staff worked them over the lockdown and even throughout the season – it was a big thing towards the end of last season that we felt our team wasn’t fit enough.”