Liverpool FC plauers celebrate their win over Arsenal.
Arsenal paid the price for missing a host of opportunities and were punished as Liverpool grew increasingly dangerous, the deadlock broken when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick glanced in off Jakub Kiwior’s head with seven minutes left. Liverpool’s triumph was completed in the closing seconds as a lethal break ended with Luis Diaz firing an emphatic finish high past Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Mikel Arteta’s side dominated the first half, with Martin Odegaard hitting the bar while Reiss Nelson and Kai Havertz also had chances to give Arsenal reward for their pressure.
Liverpool, despite missing captain Virgil van Dijk through illness and with Mohamed Salah at the Africa Cup of Nations, held firm and were always a threat. Alexander-Arnold hit the bar in the first half and as they grew into the game, Ramsdale saved well from Diaz and Diogo Jota headed against the woodwork. Just as the replay that neither Arsenal nor Liverpool would have particularly wanted loomed, the unfortunate Kiowor headed past Ramsdale then Diaz ensured Jurgen Klopp’s side would progress to the fourth round. Arsenal could and should have held a healthy advantage when this FA Cup tie reached half-time but they were let down by what is looking increasingly like a major flaw in Arteta’s team. The Gunners’ approach work was to be admired as they made Liverpool suffer by moving the ball around but it all fell down at the crucial moment when chances were not taken.
It led to increasing frustration inside the Emirates as the game wore on, accompanied by the growing feeling that Arsenal would pay the price for their failures in front of goal. Gabriel Jesus was missing with a knee injury but he is not a regular, reliable source of goals while Eddie Nketiah has yet to suggest he is the permanent answer to a growing problem for Arteta. So much is good about this Arsenal team but there is always the danger they will fall short if all their eye-catching passing play is not accompanied by end product. It is something Arteta must address as a matter of urgency – something the manager and the club may well agree with given the constant links with Brentford’s Ivan Toney. Whether they can do business in the difficult January market remains to be seen.
This is Arsenal’s third successive defeat since their creditable draw at Anfield on 23 December – and the feeling of positivity around Arteta’s team after that result must be restored swiftly. Liverpool were missing two of their best players in the meeting of the Premier League title challengers in this FA Cup tie – but they impressively overcame the absence of the ill Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, who is at the Africa Cup of Nations. They were grateful for Arsenal’s poor finishing in the first half but Klopp’s side were always in the game and, even without Salah, they possess menace in their forward line and that was increasingly in evidence as the game went on.
Ibrahima Konate in particular stood out – proving he can produce commanding performances even without Van Dijk alongside him – while young defender Jarell Quansah continues to impress in the absence of Joel Matip. Nunez was again inefficient with his efforts at goal but Jota was lively as he continues his return from injury. Overall, finding a way to win without Van Dijk and Salah will send a surge of self-belief through Liverpool and their supporters that Klopp’s new-look side can go on to achieve special things this season. Liverpool lead the Premier League, play an EFL Cup semi-final against Fulham on Wednesday, are into the knockout stage of the Europa League and can now look forward to the FA Cup fourth-round draw with optimism.
