Liverpool beat Arsenal to cut Manchester City lead to one point

Categories: SPORTS FOREIGN COUNTRIES

                         A clinical Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-0 to cut Manchester City’s once double-digit lead at the top of the Premier League table to a single point on Wednesday (March 16), leaving the title race wide open. An Arsenal side on a five-game winning run in the league and in fourth place represented a big obstacle to Klopp`s title chasers and were the better side in the first half. 

                        But the game tipped decisively early in a frenetic second period as Liverpool extended their own relentless run to nine consecutive league wins. Their breakthrough came shortly after a misplaced backpass had almost gifted Arsenal a goal, Portuguese Diogo Jota getting ahead of the London side’s defence on 54 minutes to beat goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at his near post. 

                        Roberto Firmino sewed up a crucial three points eight minutes later, squeezing a shot under the Arsenal goalkeeper again after the hosts had twice failed to clear the ball. Liverpool’s title destiny is now very much in their own hands as they still have to visit City in April. 

                         Arsenal more than matched Liverpool for long periods but the game ultimately swung shortly after the interval. A misplaced backpass by Thiago let in Martin Odegaard who looked poised to score but Alisson made a superb save.“I saw a hard-working team in the first half and in the second half we enjoyed it more and that was when we really stepped up,” Klopp said. “We really want to enjoy the situation we are in by winning football matches.”