Sub Jota comes off the bench to write the script
After starring for Scotland over the past week Kieran Tierney and Andrew Rovertson last night went head-to-head on domestic duty.
It was Robertson who’ll be the happier as Liverpool completely outclassed the Gunners – while Tierney limped off injured before half-time.
Manchester City’s win at Leicester earlier in the day meant the Reds’ hopes of retaining their title are now mathematically over after a season of mixed performances, poor results and terrible injury problems.
But Jurgen Klopp’s side were at their scintillating best here, dominating an Arsenal side missing a number of their own key players to secure a 3-0 win courtesy of a brace from Jota either side of a Mohamed Salah strike.
This was Mikel Arteta’s 50th Premier League fixture in charge of Arsenal and, before the game, he called for the Gunners to take the game to Liverpool, having won the corresponding fixture last year with a mixture of guile, guts and luck.
But Liverpool were on top from the get-go as the visitors showed their class – specifically in midfield where Thiago and Fabinho were at their best.
Arsenal sorely missed their injured quartet of David Luiz,
Granit Xhaka, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe – who would have all been likely starters on what would prove to be a galling night for the FA Cup holders.
Veteran James Milner came into the Liverpool side and dragged an early shot wide, as did Fabinho, as the apparent danger signs were there for Arsenal.
Sadio Mane then saw a header saved before fit-again Roberto Firmino shot just off target, with the under-pressure home side unable to keep hold of the ball for any meaningful length of time.
Milner should have scored when picked out free on the edge of the penalty area but sent his effort wide, while Arsenal’s evening was summed up when Kieran Tierney succumbed to injury just before the break and had to limp off.
The second half would begin in a similar vein with Liverpool again the dominant force.
Arteta reacted by introducing Mohamed Elneny in place of the ineffectual Dani Ceballos.
But it would be Liverpool’s first alteration which would prove inspired as Jota replaced former Dundee United man Andy Robertson just after the hour, breaking the deadlock with his first chance.
Trent Alexander-arnold has been in the news since failing to make the cut for Gareth Southgate’s England squad – but his pinpoint cross was headed home by Jota as the Reds finally made their dominance pay.
The lead would be doubled soon after, Mohamed Salah coolly slotting home through the legs of Bernd Leno after proving too strong for Gabriel Magalhaes.
Salah almost had a second as he latched onto a defencesplitting pass from Thiago, with Leno this time staying big and blocking the strike.
Jota’s introduction proved to be inspired as he turned home the third after Gabriel had gifted Liverpool possession with an errant pass from inside his own box.
A simple win for Jurgen Klopp’s men saw them move to within two points of the top four, while Arsenal’s dwindling hopes of securing European qualification through their league position suffered yet another blow.