Liverpool FC is losing more and more ground to the top spots in the Premier League. In the top game against Arsenal, Jürgen Klopp’s team is on an equal footing, but a bitter foul by Thiago ensures the decision in favor of the “Gunners”.
Jürgen Klopp has suffered another setback in the Premier League with his Liverpool FC. The struggling runners-up lost 2: 3 (1: 2) to the strong league leaders FC Arsenal and, in tenth place, are already six points behind the Champions League ranks. The Gunners at the top are even 14 points away.
Goals from Darwin Nunez (34′) and Roberto Firmino (53′) weren’t enough for Klopp’s team. Gabriel Martinelli (1st) and Bukayo Saka (45th 5, 76th penalty kick) gave Arsenal their eighth win in nine games (!). Liverpool can only dream of such a record: The Reds have only two successes to their credit. Next Sunday we will also face champions Manchester City with Torgarant Erling Haaland.
After falling behind early on, when Martinelli took advantage of the first opportunity, Liverpool reacted strongly: new signing Nunez, at least unlucky so far, converted a cross from Luis Diaz to make it 1-1. But a little later the Reds were behind again. After a counterattack, the English international Saka was allowed to finish free-standing. Arsenal remained the more dangerous team and pushed for the third goal. Martin Ödegaard (50th) missed a good chance – but Firmino scored on the other side in the middle of this phase to make it 2-2. Klopp’s side had no answer to the second goal from Saka, who converted a penalty after a foul by Thiago with nerves of steel.
The Citizens with Haaland, on the other hand, are still in top form: The storm phenomenon contributed a goal in the clear 4-0 (2-0) win against FC Southampton on Saturday. In the ninth league game there are already 15 goals. The exceptional striker has scored 20 times in all competitions. “I’m so disappointed in him, he didn’t score three goals,” quipped City team manager Pep Guardiola, before adding seriously: “The expectations of him are so high that everyone thinks he scores three or four goals in every game.” Against Southampton he was “there again and scored. He helped us again”.
Joao Cancelo (20th) made it 1-0 for the Citizens, Phil Foden (32nd) and Riyad Mahrez (49th) increased. Then Haaland (65th) struck. City is second with 23 points. For the Guardiola side it was the third win in the Premier League in a row. National player Ilkay Gündogan was not part of the starting XI and was not substituted on.
Chelsea FC found it a little harder in the 3-0 (1-0) win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. National player Kai Havertz (45.3) redeemed the Blues after a tough start with his goal to make it 1-0. Ex-Dortmunder Christian Pulisic (54th) and Armando Broja (90th) provided the other goals from Chelsea.
(This article was first published on Sunday, October 09, 2022.)
