Sunday 3 February 2013

Arsenal v Liverpool

After the shock defeat in the FA Cup to Oldham Athletic, Liverpool resumed their Premier League duties with a trip to Arsenal.

The team saw seven changes from the weekend with the inclusion of Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Glen Johnson, Lucas Leiva, Steven Gerrard and Stewart Downing with new signing Phillipe Coutinho watching on from the stands.

Liverpool had to be cautious of an early opening from Arsenal after what Oldham did in the third minute in Sunday, but this time it was Liverpool who took an early chance as Sagna's slip allowed Johnson to swoop in and cross for Sturridge. Szczesny blocked the shot but saw the ball roll to Henderson who squared for Suarez who in turn swept the ball home to send the away fans into a jubilant roar.

Arsenal should have levelled instantly but a drive from Walcott was ably saved by Reina and Liverpool pushed for a second as Suarez's superb pass put Sturridge in the clear but his volley went wide and Giroud went close for the home side.

Reina frustrated Walcott again this time flinging himself acrobatically to tip a goal-bound curler round the post before Liverpool tried again and came achingly close as Gerrard swung in a corner it met the head of Agger who's header was crucially cleared off the line by Podolski.

Arsenal were flagging and were lucky not to be two down at the break as Downing put in a pass to Henderson who tried a lob over Szczesny only to see go over by a narrow margin and meant his side went in just the one goal up.

Arsenal needed to hit back quickly to stem the Liverpool assault and Walcott continued to threaten by heading narrowly over 10 minutes into the second half and it seemed like Arsenal had the momentum but they were stunned when Liverpool struck their second expertly created and finished by Henderson, he swept into the box and pass four defenders before tapping into the empty net from a ricochet to put Liverpool in a great position for the win.

But despite the goal, Arsenal's momentum bore fruit as Giroud headed home from Podolski's free-kick to put one back but within minutes they hit an equaliser after a nice exchange of passes saw Walcott unleashed shot across goal which beat Reina to nestle in the bottom corner to silence the away end and cause a roar from the the home faithful.

Arsenal were looking the more likely to hit a winner but Liverpool could have sealed a late winner as Suarez tested Szczesny with only a fine save denied the Uruguayan the plaudits and his side the three points.

Next up is another tough away day this time at the Etihad against the Champions, Manchester City on Sunday. Many will remember that Liverpool should have been going for a double against the Blues this week but the Skrtel back pass at 2-1 saw a win snatched and a draw rescued for City in the fixture at Anfield last year.


No comments:

Post a Comment