Always one of the biggest fixtures of the season and after both teams kicking off the new season with draws last week, there would be an impatience to record their first win. Liverpool go into the game knowing that they have never won at the Emirates Stadium and have not recorded a win against Arsenal away from home for 11 years. But Liverpool have a new confidence and belief encouraged by Dalglish as manager and with all the new summer signings. Arsenal on the other hand are like a club in turmoil, with their talismanic captain Cesc Fabregas leaving for Barcelona last week and an uncertain future regarding star player Nasri, Arsenal have also been decimated by injuries in this new season. Even with all Arsenal’s troubles Liverpool know this would be a very difficult match.
THE TEAM
Dalglish made a couple of changes to the side that drew with Sunderland last week, Martin Kelly came in for the unfortunate Flanagan, but more surprisingly was the news that Luis Suarez was to start on the bench with Dirk Kuyt coming back into the side. Even without Suarez starting the match the side still had a lot of attack minded players starting with the likes of Carroll, Kuyt, Downing and Adam being complimented with marauding wingbacks in the shape of Enrique and Kelly.
THE MATCH
Another massive crowd inside this magnificent stadium for the match of the day and Arsenal were the first to threaten in the early stages when Vermaelen headed over from a corner.
The game became a little heated when Frimpong squared up to Henderson resulting in a yellow card for the Arsenal youngster. Arsenal were dealt another injury blow when Koscielny hobbled out of Arsenal’s makeshift defence.
Liverpool tried to capatilise as Arsenal regrouped when Carroll had a header from an Enrique cross well saved by Szczesny. Then Henderson failed to convert a Kuyt centre.
Liverpool were shading the play during the first half and Adam went close with an ambitious effort from the centre circle, the ball just going over the crossbar.
It was 30 minutes before Arsenal threatened Reina’s goal when Frimpong had an effort well saved by Reina. Then Nasri had a very good run ending up with a shot into the hoardings. Downing had a similar effort at the other end as the half ended.
Liverpool started the second half with Carroll setting up Kelly who shot against the outside of the post. But as the half wore on Arsenal started to dominate.
Carragher did well to cut out a Walcott cross as Van Persie waited to fire home. Then Adam made a great tackle on Nasri at the edge of the box as Arsenal continued to test Liverpool.
But the game changed in the 70th minute when the reckless Frimpong caught Lucas late with a bad challenge and was sent off for a second yellow card.
Dalglish changed his attack at this point bringing on Suarez and Meireles for Carroll and Kuyt. Liverpool smelled blood now and looked dangerous. Downing went close with a rasping shot being brilliantly saved by Szczesny.
But Liverpool made the breakthrough in the 77th minute in bizarre fashion when Henderson tried to pass a ball through to Suarez but Miquel’s clearance ricocheted off Ramsey and into the Arsenal net bringing great joy to the travelling Liverpool support.
Meireles should have made it 2-0 but he shot high. But Liverpool finished the game off in the 90th minute after a triangle of passes between Lucas and Meireles was finished off by Suarez and gave Liverpool a superb victory.
SUMMARY
Well I was as surprised as everyone to see Suarez not starting but Dalglish probably feels he needs a bit more training yet as he did tire last week. I was pleased to see Kuyt come back into the team as his workrate was needed at the Emirates. Liverpool worked superbly as a unit and limited Arsenal to few chances. There was a hint of offside at the goals but we were unlucky with decisions last week so good to see them going for us this week. Great performances from Adam, Enrique, Downing and Kelly to name a few. But overall a great performance and a confidence boosting result ending an 11 year wait.
Man of the Match – Enrique – Walcott never got passed him and he looked dangerous going forward too. Looking like a great signing.
written by Jamie McLaughlin website at www.anfieldnews.com
this match report is a refreshing change to the utter drivel i have read on some of the main stream media websites….
Nice piece, only one issue. (sorry im a graphic designer so I proofread copy for a living)
“Walcott never got passed him”
Should be:
“Walcott never got past him”
I think were looking pretty solid at the back, Jose is simply superb. His Messiesque run in the first half was brilliant :)
sorry about that thanks for noticing my mistake but kids were driving me nuts as I tried to write it and I never had much time to check it out before posting, thanks again.
“I think were looking pretty solid at the back”
Should be:
“I think we’re looking pretty solid at the back”
Good article although the second goal was nowhere near offside…
@Jevon… Although you make many mistakes yourself :P Good game and more to come :D
Adam and downing are going to score soon. They jus bring the lost flair again. Jose Enrique is awesome. Kelly should shoot more bcoz then his passes sumtime b’come predictible. Suarez and kuyt front are better than carroll.
The fact is kenny wants to get rid of most of the players disturbing his british craps excluding suarez and jose,,,how on earth wud u sell RM and AA this time around…listen fans when SG is back hendo wil still be in the 1st 11 squad{may be r.w}….ITS A TOTAL DISGRACE THAT WE ARE SELLING QUALITIES AND WE ARE LEAVING CRAPS LIKE J.C,C.P,J.H in the first team…do u guyz think hendo is better than jay,aqua,raul,kuyt and maxi?…. MR KENNY DAGLISH THIS IS UNFAIR TRY AND GIVE AQUA A CHANCE
Oh please…Aquilani and quality dont arrive in the same sentence…i bet the only link you have with LFC is the screen name KENNYjimmy
The most important thing for me is that LFC defeated Arsenal , 3 point for us .
I don’t mind even if Ngog made the goal as long as it gave LFC 3 points
Arsenal 0 – LFC 2 : to me all players on the pitch worked very well . KK knows better than all of us , he trained them everyday , he has the data of the performance of each player .
Let’s realize that we are just supporters . Just support them and enjoy the watch , do not act as a manager and dont play footbal manager too much .. it wont make you a real footbal manager ..
Liverpool wins .. that’s all