Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: With a 2-0 win against Arsenal on Thursday, Liverpool rekindled the Premier League championship battle and moved within a point of the top place after scoring two second-half goals to extend their winning streak to nine games.
After a lackluster first-half effort by the visitors at Emirates Stadium, Diogo Jota and substitute Roberto Firminho scored within eight minutes of each other.
Liverpool currently has 69 points, one fewer than Manchester City, who were held to a 0-0 tie by Crystal Palace on Monday. Liverpool will win the league if it wins its remaining nine games, including the meeting against City on April 10.
After a lackluster first-half effort by the visitors at Emirates Stadium, Diogo Jota and substitute Roberto Firminho scored within eight minutes of each other.
Liverpool currently has 69 points, one fewer than Manchester City, who were held to a 0-0 tie by Crystal Palace on Monday. Liverpool will win the league if it wins its remaining nine games, including the meeting against City on April 10.
After latching onto a through pass from midfielder Thiago Alcântara, Jota beat Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the near post in the 54th minute. Jota’s attempt was deflected by Ramsdale, but the goalkeeper could have done better to keep the ball out.
The goal triggered loud celebrations in the away end, with Liverpool players sprinting over to their supporters in the corner. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp made a double substitution, bringing in Mohamed Salah, who had recovered from a foot injury, and Firmino, Jota’s final action on the field.
Firmino didn’t waste any time in repaying his manager’s confidence. In the 62nd minute, Liverpool’s left defender Andy Robertson surged to the byline before cutting it back for the Brazilian, who flicked the ball beyond Ramsdale.
Firmino leaped over the advertising boards and was embraced by jubilant Liverpool supporters.
Arsenal’s defense had been mainly attuned to the Liverpool danger before the scores. The Gunners, on the other hand, we’re unable to capitalize on their spirited first-half display.
In the first half, Arsenal worked both wings, attempting to send the ball swiftly up the field to Gabriel Martinelli on the left and Bukayo Saka on the right. The last ball, on the other hand, has consistently let the Gunners down.
In the 15th minute, Martinelli made a superb move along the left flank, racing past right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold before producing a low cross that came close to finding striker Alexandre Lacazette. Robertson, on the other hand, did an excellent job of clearing the threat for Liverpool.
Martinelli came close to pulling a goal back for Arsenal in the 88th minute, but his rolling effort just missed the far post.
Arsenal’s five-game winning streak came to an end, and the Gunners remain in the fourth position with 51 points. They lead Manchester United by a point, but Arsenal has two games in hand.