How Arsenal and Liverpool counter each other at Anfield

According to Premier League expert Alex Keble, the 1-1 draw was a true reflection of the situation in the 18th round at Anfield, where both Liverpool and Arsenal knew how to counter each other's strengths.

Arteta's mistake

Apart from Oleksandr Zinchenko's defeat to Mohamed Salah, Arsenal were the better team in the first half as Mikel Arteta opted for a more direct approach. In the first 45 minutes, the Gunners had 45% possession but had seven shots with two on target - compared to Liverpool's four and one.

David Raya and the Arsenal defense continuously sent long passes from the back, thereby nullifying the hope of winning the ball in high positions with Jurgen Klopp's familiar "gegenpressing" style.

Arteta directs Arsenal players during the first half of the 1-1 draw at Anfield in round 18 of the Premier League on December 23. Photo: arsenal.com

The visitors have been taking fewer risks at home and looking to get the ball forward as often as possible, with Arsenal setting a record for forward passes this season, with 43% of those aimed at the Liverpool goal.

The approach worked, preventing Liverpool from developing their preferred style of play until Arsenal's pressure began to ease towards the end of the first half.

Salah - Zinchenko war

The key to Liverpool's tactics in the first half was Mohamed Salah exploiting Oleksandr Zinchenko's position, and one such situation led to a goal. In the 29th minute, from Trent Alexander-Arnold's long pass, Zinchenko misjudged the landing and allowed Salah to escape down the right flank. The Egyptian striker calmly handled the ball, easily eliminating Zinchenko to turn inside and finish with his left foot, hitting the roof of David Raya's net.

Zinchenko misjudged the landing point, indirectly giving Salah a chance and taking advantage to score the equalizer 1-1. Screenshot

Liverpool continued to attack the right wing well in the second half, but Klopp suddenly made three changes in the 68th minute, bringing on Darwin Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch and Harvey Elliott.

The German coach moved Salah into a forward position alongside Nunez, hoping to capitalise on transitions and counter-attacks, as Arsenal took more risks in possession at home. However, Harvey Elliott often cut into the No. 10 position from the right, thereby taking the pressure off Zinchenko.

After those three substitutions, Liverpool had just 42% possession and four shots on target. Like Arteta, Klopp's changes in the second half affected the team's play.

Arsenal's defensive fulcrum

Arsenal failed to get a shot on target after Gabriel's fourth-minute opener, largely because they didn't venture high up the pitch. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli were often on the edge of the box when teammates crossed or played in.

Despite Arteta's pre-match press conference determination to win at Anfield for the first time since 2012-13, it was a sensible approach. "The conservative approach for long periods of the game was another sign of Arsenal's growing maturity and defensive solidity," Keble commented.

The central defenders William Saliba and Gabriel had another sublime performance, controlling Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Salah well, while Declan Rice was still showing his usual brilliance in the midfield area. Arsenal's strong defense prevented Liverpool from exploding like they did when they beat West Ham 5-1 in the League Cup quarter-finals a few days earlier.

Liverpool striker Nunez (No. 9) falls after a dispute with Arsenal defender Saliba during the 1-1 draw at Anfield in round 18 of the Premier League on December 23. Photo: Reuters

Of course, Arsenal were lucky to escape defeat in the 72nd minute, when Liverpool counter-attacked in a "5 vs 1" situation, but Trent Alexander-Arnold's shot hit the crossbar. The match was also controversial with midfielder Martin Odegaard clearly blocking the ball with his hand in the penalty area in the 18th minute, but Arsenal still escaped a penalty.

Hong Duy

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