Liverpool had high hopes going
into Saturday's clash against Arsenal. Despite missing several key players -
Steven Gerrard and Daniel Agger out due to injuries sustained while on
international duty, Glen Johnson missing out on another match since the Carling
Cup final - the Reds were fresh of their Carling Cup win and looking for
another 3 points to get them closer to Champion's League action.
Arsenal, too, were hungry for another win after their comeback performance against Tottenham last weekend. They arrived at Anfield, a fit Robin Van Persie in tow, hoping to regain a grasp on 4th place and close in on 3rd.
Liverpool, even without skipper Stevie G, dominated most of the match.
Pepe Reina saved Theo Walcott's early attempt, while Jose Enrique forced Mikel Arteta to send his diagonal shot far over the top. If anything, it looked as if Arsenal were being smothered by a strong defensive line.
Despite Dirk Kuyt missing an early penalty (from Luis Suarez being tripped up by Arsenal 'keeper Szczesny) in the 19th minute, the Reds were still first on the score sheet. Szczesny was unable to save Jordan Henderson’s cross after a panicked Koscielny turned the ball into his own net in the 23rd minute.
Arsenal, too, were hungry for another win after their comeback performance against Tottenham last weekend. They arrived at Anfield, a fit Robin Van Persie in tow, hoping to regain a grasp on 4th place and close in on 3rd.
Liverpool, even without skipper Stevie G, dominated most of the match.
Pepe Reina saved Theo Walcott's early attempt, while Jose Enrique forced Mikel Arteta to send his diagonal shot far over the top. If anything, it looked as if Arsenal were being smothered by a strong defensive line.
Despite Dirk Kuyt missing an early penalty (from Luis Suarez being tripped up by Arsenal 'keeper Szczesny) in the 19th minute, the Reds were still first on the score sheet. Szczesny was unable to save Jordan Henderson’s cross after a panicked Koscielny turned the ball into his own net in the 23rd minute.
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| Luis Suarez celebrates Liverpool's first goal as Koscielny blunders and sends the ball past Szczesny. |
Keeping with the theme of
squandered chances, instead of making things 2-0, Suarez's powerful rebound
only managed to shake the post.
Just when Arsenal seemed on the verge of a mental breakdown in the 31st minute, Sagna sent a well-aimed cross in Arsenal skipper Robin Van Persie's direction. Which RVP, free of Jamie Carragher for a moment, headed in, equalizing.
Added time saw some fancy footwork from Luis Suarez, who smoothly found his way past Song, Sagna, Koscielny, and Vermaelen, sending a low ball in Dirk Kuyt's direction only to have Kuyt's attempt hit the post. Again.
The second half saw Liverpool continue to dominate, to no apparent gain.
Much stoppage time ensued as Mikel Arteta was stretchered off after a collision with Jordan Henderson (a post-game rush to the hospital was just a precaution, Arsenal later reported, with Arteta traveling back with his teammates).
Just when Arsenal seemed on the verge of a mental breakdown in the 31st minute, Sagna sent a well-aimed cross in Arsenal skipper Robin Van Persie's direction. Which RVP, free of Jamie Carragher for a moment, headed in, equalizing.
Added time saw some fancy footwork from Luis Suarez, who smoothly found his way past Song, Sagna, Koscielny, and Vermaelen, sending a low ball in Dirk Kuyt's direction only to have Kuyt's attempt hit the post. Again.
The second half saw Liverpool continue to dominate, to no apparent gain.
Much stoppage time ensued as Mikel Arteta was stretchered off after a collision with Jordan Henderson (a post-game rush to the hospital was just a precaution, Arsenal later reported, with Arteta traveling back with his teammates).
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| Mikel Arteta after a collision with Jordan Henderson. |
Vermaelen picked up a yellow card
for awkwardly running into Luis Suarez's back, while the 69th minute
saw Martin Kelly convert Dirk Kuyt's cross with the wrong foot near the far
post, sending the ball wide, bring Liverpool's tally of missed chances to a
billion. Yes. A billion.
Pepe Reina made another brilliant block, saving Theo Walcott from scoring. Downing, at the other end, sent his cross for Suarez too close to Szczesny, wasting, you guessed it, another chance at scoring.
It was in stoppage time that RVP solidified his role as Arsene Wenger's knight in shining armor, capturing 3 points for the Gunners by expertly sending a cross from Song into the net.
Pepe Reina made another brilliant block, saving Theo Walcott from scoring. Downing, at the other end, sent his cross for Suarez too close to Szczesny, wasting, you guessed it, another chance at scoring.
It was in stoppage time that RVP solidified his role as Arsene Wenger's knight in shining armor, capturing 3 points for the Gunners by expertly sending a cross from Song into the net.
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| Robin Van Persie: Knight In Shining Armor. |
Despite outplaying Arsenal for
the majority of the match, Liverpool was unable to finish consistently and the
desperate need for a striker as on-form as RVP became horribly apparent as they
lost at Anfield for the first time this campaign.
The Reds are back in action, looking to move ahead and gather as many points as possible, against Sunderland next week.
The Reds are back in action, looking to move ahead and gather as many points as possible, against Sunderland next week.
Next Matches:
Liverpool v Sunderland. EPL. March 10. 10:00 AM EST.
Arsenal v Newcastle. EPL. March 12. 4:00 PM EST.
Written by Yasmien Mizyed
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