Liverpool’s nine wins in a row have reignited a Premier League title race that was beginning to resemble a Manchester City procession in January.
And the sight of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s traditional treble after the final whistle could have been the sound of a glove thrown in front of his Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola after this 2-0 win at Arsenal. .
The first is the first.
It’s still an advantage for City as they hold a one point lead, while Liverpool have yet to go to the Etihad Stadium in April, but make no mistake, the Premier League landscape has changed dramatically in recent weeks.
When Liverpool beat Brentford 3-0 at Anfield on January 16, they were still eight points behind a seemingly unstoppable City, who had beaten Chelsea the day before.
It was assumed, perhaps dangerously, that it was all over even after Klopp said: “If you’re with us, you’ll enjoy the ride and we’ll go all out. We’re ready to do everything we can.”
And now, after a win that leaves Liverpool breathing down City’s neck with nine games remaining, Klopp and his players are going all out.
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‘A serious nail-biter of an ending’
The Carabao Cup has been won. They await the draw for the Champions League quarter-finals on Friday. They play the FA Cup quarter-final at Championship Nottingham Forest on Sunday and the title race is more alive than at any stage this season.
They have picked up relentless momentum while City have stumbled occasionally, leaving the door ajar by drawing at Crystal Palace on Monday and losing at home to Tottenham recently.
Liverpool may not have gotten through the door, but there is no doubt that they are currently giving him a big push and will resist a bit.
And Liverpool could be top of the table when City play their next league match. Liverpool face struggling Watford in Saturday’s lunchtime game at Anfield before City travel to Burnley, another team desperately battling relegation.
Guardiola’s side will still feel confident that they can see Liverpool off, as they have been successful leaders in recent seasons, managing to hold their nerve when hounded, most memorably by Klopp’s side in 2018-19.
Anyone who takes the form of Liverpool will result in an inevitable overhaul of City which does the reigning champions a huge disservice but, make no mistake, this is going to be a serious end to the Premier League.
Liverpool, as they have shown on many occasions this season, can find various ways to win, such is the all-round quality they possess. This was a victory achieved in the manner that marks teams as potential champions. They weren’t at their best, but they stayed in the game, confident in the knowledge that they would produce quality that would give them a measure of control they wouldn’t give up.
They survived a serious test for 45 minutes here against an Arsenal side who, while far from challenging Liverpool and Manchester City, are improving under Mikel Arteta. They still need the kind of ruthless aim that Arteta decided Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wouldn’t give them when there was that January split. A striker must be Arsenal’s summer priority.
Gabriel Martinelli was magnificent, but there was no lead and once Diogo Jota put Liverpool ahead, aided by a poor effort from Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the near post, it was game over. Roberto Firmino’s delicate movement completed the formalities to reduce the gap to just that point.
The vanguard of Liverpool is key
Arguably the crucial moment came moments before Liverpool took the lead when Thiago clutched his head in anguish after playing a straight back pass to Alexandre Lacazette. He fed Martin Odegaard, but Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson kept his nerve, form and position to make a block that might be fondly remembered at the end of the season.
Much is made of Liverpool’s wealth in attack, defense and midfield, but no one should overlook the presence and influence of a world-class goalkeeper. Alisson deserved a thank you in the Liverpool dressing room.
While Arsenal regretted missing out on their big chance, Liverpool have plenty of an advantage, as Klopp showed in the moments that shifted the emphasis of this game away from the Gunners.
Klopp, sensing the force was in Arsenal and Liverpool needed a spark, called up Mohamed Salah – alone on the bench after suffering a foot injury at Brighton on Saturday – and Firmino onto the touchline.
As instructions were being given, Jota dialed. Many managers could have changed their plan, reacted more conservatively.
Klopp was undeterred, taking out the man who had just scored. Firmino then showed the wisdom of this decision by finishing off Arsenal.
Manchester City have the advantage. Liverpool have momentum. This is a long-running rivalry in the Premier League that will continue well beyond this season.
All that matters in the context of the league, for now, are these bottom line games. It is so close that a single draw could decide it; the match at the Etihad Stadium on April 10 could certainly do it.
Who could call the final denouement with any serious conviction?
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