There’s no doubt that Liverpool should’ve have won this game. They played with a verve and attack that’s been desperately lacking in their performances for much of this season. They got the ball in wide areas, ran at the Arsenal defence and gave them plenty to think about. They peppered the Arsenal goal and went close on a number of occasions.
But, as much as they played well, the Gunners never showed up until the second half. For the opening 45, they were hopeless. And as much as their second period was better, their defensive issues ultimately cost them points again.
36.5% - Arsenal's possession figure vs Liverpool today was lower than they've recorded in any other PL game between Aug 2003 and now. Chase.
Time after time, they surrendered possession in dangerous areas. And that began right from kick-off. Coutinho picked up a pass in midfield, turned, was suddenly in acres of space and ran at Mertesacker who was forced to bring him down. Gerrard went close from the free-kick that followed. It seemed to set the tone and it wasn’t a surprise when Coutinho’s opener came as a result of another Arsenal giveaway.
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Calum Chambers struggled throughout against Liverpool, as did the entire Arsenal defence. Peter Byrne / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Peter Byrne / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
After the game, Wenger spoke of Arsenal playing ‘with a handbrake on’ for the first half. But they didn’t play at all. And, when they were staring at grabbing a completely undeserved three points from the assignment, they panicked, dropped concentration and allowed an old failing rear its ugly head.
We are disappointed to give a goal away with a free header from a corner. In the long stoppage time you have to survive two three corners and free-kicks. For their goal, we had plenty of defenders on the pitch. It’s disappointing that we didn’t even jump. You want everybody to be focused on the corner.”Arsene Wenger speaking after his side’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool
With Skrtel always such an aerial threat and with the centre-back having scored twice against Arsenal from set-pieces back in February, allowing him a free-header is inexplicable and a recipe for disaster. It’s no surprise that Wenger referenced the circumstances of the equaliser post-game but is anything likely to change? Hardly.
How to solve a problem like Sterling?
Experimenting with Raheem Sterling isn’t having the desired effect. Against Manchester United, he found himself in a couple of excellent scoring positions but, quite inevitably, he’s not got the ruthlessness of a striker and failed to take the opportunities.
His two goals against Bournemouth midweek hinted at potential but here again, he struggled to lead the line. Given the space Liverpool had on the counter attack, especially in the first-half, one would be forgiven for thinking of what might have been had Sterling started the game deeper and been allowed run at a vulnerable defence.
Peter Byrne / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Peter Byrne / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Rodgers seems to have plenty of faith in Philippe Coutinho but, outside of his goal he scored, a couple of chances fell his way that he failed to convert. Meanwhile, Adam Lallana has scored two league goals since joining the club for £25m in the summer. With Rodgers set on a 3-4-3, Sterling is much better suited to wide areas or a deeper role. Even without Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli, Sterling shouldn’t be upfront be default. His attributes make him a handful when facing defenders, not trying to make darting runs into the channels. If that means Rickie Lambert has to start more regularly, so be it.
There was a farcical finale to this when Sterling was switched to wing-back when Fabio Borini came in for Lazar Markovic. When Lambert was introduced later and Liverpool went with two up front, Sterling was at full-back. That’s not fair on anyone – lest of all the 20 year-old.
Olivier Giroud can lessen the pressure on Alexis Sanchez
Liverpool did well to shackle the Chilean throughout while Danny Welbeck was anonymous. Still, Arsenal had a player (maybe two with Santi Cazorla also impressing) who gave them plenty to think about and who ultimately delivered for them again.
Having been restricted to minimal playing time due to injury, his availability has proved crucial to the side in recent weeks. He fired in a superb strike after coming on as a substitute against Manchester United while last weekend, he grabbed a brace against Newcastle. In his five starts since returning to the lineup, he’s scored three times and Arsenal have been in noticeably better form with him in the team.
Peter Byrne / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Peter Byrne / PA Wire/Press Association Images / PA Wire/Press Association Images
He took his goal really well – firstly playing a neat lay-off for Cazorla and then darting to the near post to sweep past Brad Jones.
Many are of the opinion that Giroud should be better, that he should score more and be a prolific attacker. But many have argued the same about Karim Benzema for years. Like his compatriot, Giroud does his job well. In two full seasons, he’s scored over 30 top-flight goals – certainly not a bad return.
And, with Sanchez surely set to experience a drop-off in form and as Welbeck flits in and out of games, Giroud could prove immensely important as the Gunners push hard for Champions League qualification.
3 talking points from Liverpool's enthralling draw with Arsenal
Arsenal’s defensive frailties aren’t going anywhere
There’s no doubt that Liverpool should’ve have won this game. They played with a verve and attack that’s been desperately lacking in their performances for much of this season. They got the ball in wide areas, ran at the Arsenal defence and gave them plenty to think about. They peppered the Arsenal goal and went close on a number of occasions.
But, as much as they played well, the Gunners never showed up until the second half. For the opening 45, they were hopeless. And as much as their second period was better, their defensive issues ultimately cost them points again.
Time after time, they surrendered possession in dangerous areas. And that began right from kick-off. Coutinho picked up a pass in midfield, turned, was suddenly in acres of space and ran at Mertesacker who was forced to bring him down. Gerrard went close from the free-kick that followed. It seemed to set the tone and it wasn’t a surprise when Coutinho’s opener came as a result of another Arsenal giveaway.
After the game, Wenger spoke of Arsenal playing ‘with a handbrake on’ for the first half. But they didn’t play at all. And, when they were staring at grabbing a completely undeserved three points from the assignment, they panicked, dropped concentration and allowed an old failing rear its ugly head.
With Skrtel always such an aerial threat and with the centre-back having scored twice against Arsenal from set-pieces back in February, allowing him a free-header is inexplicable and a recipe for disaster. It’s no surprise that Wenger referenced the circumstances of the equaliser post-game but is anything likely to change? Hardly.
How to solve a problem like Sterling?
Experimenting with Raheem Sterling isn’t having the desired effect. Against Manchester United, he found himself in a couple of excellent scoring positions but, quite inevitably, he’s not got the ruthlessness of a striker and failed to take the opportunities.
His two goals against Bournemouth midweek hinted at potential but here again, he struggled to lead the line. Given the space Liverpool had on the counter attack, especially in the first-half, one would be forgiven for thinking of what might have been had Sterling started the game deeper and been allowed run at a vulnerable defence.
Rodgers seems to have plenty of faith in Philippe Coutinho but, outside of his goal he scored, a couple of chances fell his way that he failed to convert. Meanwhile, Adam Lallana has scored two league goals since joining the club for £25m in the summer. With Rodgers set on a 3-4-3, Sterling is much better suited to wide areas or a deeper role. Even without Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli, Sterling shouldn’t be upfront be default. His attributes make him a handful when facing defenders, not trying to make darting runs into the channels. If that means Rickie Lambert has to start more regularly, so be it.
There was a farcical finale to this when Sterling was switched to wing-back when Fabio Borini came in for Lazar Markovic. When Lambert was introduced later and Liverpool went with two up front, Sterling was at full-back. That’s not fair on anyone – lest of all the 20 year-old.
Olivier Giroud can lessen the pressure on Alexis Sanchez
Liverpool did well to shackle the Chilean throughout while Danny Welbeck was anonymous. Still, Arsenal had a player (maybe two with Santi Cazorla also impressing) who gave them plenty to think about and who ultimately delivered for them again.
Having been restricted to minimal playing time due to injury, his availability has proved crucial to the side in recent weeks. He fired in a superb strike after coming on as a substitute against Manchester United while last weekend, he grabbed a brace against Newcastle. In his five starts since returning to the lineup, he’s scored three times and Arsenal have been in noticeably better form with him in the team.
He took his goal really well – firstly playing a neat lay-off for Cazorla and then darting to the near post to sweep past Brad Jones.
Many are of the opinion that Giroud should be better, that he should score more and be a prolific attacker. But many have argued the same about Karim Benzema for years. Like his compatriot, Giroud does his job well. In two full seasons, he’s scored over 30 top-flight goals – certainly not a bad return.
And, with Sanchez surely set to experience a drop-off in form and as Welbeck flits in and out of games, Giroud could prove immensely important as the Gunners push hard for Champions League qualification.
As it happened: Liverpool v Arsenal, Premier League
97th minute Skrtel equaliser earns Liverpool a point against Arsenal
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Analysis Anfield Arsenal Arsene Wenger Brendan Rodgers Liverpool Olivier Giroud Premier League Raheem Sterling Soccer