Fresh Football Fresh quotes, opinion and reaction to the beautiful game.
Liverpool moved up into the top four after bouncing back from defeat at the King Power Stadium against Leicester last Monday, beating Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal 3-1 at Anfield.
Wenger will face much criticism post-game for his decision to leave key man Alexis Sanchez on the bench. The Chilean was brought on at half-time, and provided an assist as the Gunners searched for something to take back to North London.
Liverpool started the quicker of the two, and they were rewarded with an early goal. Roberto Firmino was left free at the back post, and despite the best efforts of Hector Bellerin, managed to fire the ball into the back of the net to send Liverpool 1-0 up inside nine minutes.
It got better for the Reds as they went into half-time two goals to the good. Sadio Mane found some space in the box, and was picked out by Firmino before drilling the ball into the back of the Arsenal net.
Arsene Wenger had to do something at half-time, and he responded by sending on Sanchez. He had a positive effect on proceedings from an Arsenal point of view, as he always does, and was highly influential in Arsenal’s goal. He threaded the ball through to Danny Welbeck, who finished well to put the visitors back into the game.
Arsenal searched for an equaliser late on, and Liverpool pounced in added time when they got the chance. Adam Lallana picked out Divock Origi with a lovely pass, who squared the ball to Georginio Wijnaldum, who was able to come up with the finish to hand Liverpool at three points.
One player that stood out from a Liverpool point of view was Adam Lallana. The Englishman worked tirelessly in the midfield, and covered just about every blade of grass on the pitch in what was a stunning performance. Despite winning only 40% of his tackles, he was key to Liverpool’s success, creating one chance and completing two take-ons. Here is how Liverpool fans reacted to Lallana’s display.
Lallana is such a good player. Bordering world class for me.
— Gaurav (@g_3785) 4 March 2017
I’m not sure Lallana gets the credit for the football brain he has. No one reads a game or has better game awareness in the squad then him
— Johnny Heavey (@JohnnyH1857) 4 March 2017
Adam Lallana was fantastic today, brilliant performance from him 🙏🏽
— Mani (@Mani_King7) 4 March 2017
Delighted with that performance but also frustrated we can’t produce that every week. Lallana was incredible
— Craig Brookfield (@Brookie114) 4 March 2017
Lallana is easily the best English player by miles at the moment
— alex (@alexsaIvation) 4 March 2017
Lallana is intelligent, hard working, physically fit and consistently superb. What a player he’s become!
— Indigo 🉐 (@IndigoLFC) 4 March 2017
When Adam Lallana plays like that he’s the best central midfielder in the PL. Now to find that consistency. On or off the ball, untouchable.
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) 4 March 2017
