The Independent - 25.08.2019

(Ben Green) #1

feared pair of attacking full-backs, men who got 23 Premier League assists between them last season and
who were invariably afforded acres of room to cross. The predictable element was that Liverpool’s
breakthrough would come with a centre from one of their full-backs. The only surprise was that it was from
a corner when Alexander-Arnold picked out Joel Matip to head in. It was the 19th cross that the full-backs
had delivered in the opening 41 minutes. It felt inevitable, just as it did when Liverpool’s second goal
stemmed from an unmarked Alexander-Arnold’s pass to Roberto Firmino.


DAVID LUIZ ENDS UP LOOKING A LIABILITY


Sometimes it feels there is no middle ground where David Luiz is concerned. His best is very good. His
worst is rotten and, because he is so conspicuous, there is no hiding place. At half-time, there was a case for
arguing Luiz had excelled. A quarter of an hour into the second half, very different conclusions could be
drawn. His duel with Mohamed Salah was a comprehensive victory for the Liverpool forward. David Luiz
was twice caught out of position inside 10 minutes, tugging Salah back to concede a penalty and hurtling in,
rather needlessly, when Salah met Fabinho’s pass and darted away from him to add Liverpool’s third goal. It
showed more enthusiasm than judgement. It is scarcely the only moment in David Luiz’s career when that
accusation can be levelled at him.


FIRMINO TROUBLES ARSENAL AGAIN


Firmino scored a hat-trick against Arsenal in last season’s 5-1 thrashing and has a status as their nemesis.
Perhaps it is because he can seem their antithesis, the big-game player, the relentless runner, the selfless
worker, the attacker who is also the first line of the defence. Perhaps it was fitting that, on a day when he
could have drawn level with Ian Rush and Gordon Hodgson as Liverpool’s joint leading scorer against the
Gunners, a selfless sidekick instead set up a goal. His pass for Salah, leading to the penalty when David Luiz
fouled the Egyptian, was a trademark Firmino ball, only travelling a few yards, but finding an on-rushing
colleague. Liverpool have inverted the front three, with Salah and Sadio Mane often in more advanced
positions than Firmino, and it was an illustration of why the formation works and why, even as the Egyptian
got the goals, the Brazilian is the man who makes the front three tick.


Nicolas Pepe showed glimpses of his talent
(Getty)

PEPE MISSES HIS CHANCE BUT SHOWS HIS SPEED


Exit Arsenal’s player of the year, enter their record signing. Not for the first time, Alexandre Lacazette was
benched at Anfield as Nicolas Pepe made his maiden start for Arsenal. They received indications of what
£72 million buys: blistering pace, most obviously, and a willingness to cut in from the right to shoot on his
favoured left foot. They are, of course, traits he shares with Salah but if Pepe promised a first Gunners goal
with a Salah-esque counter-attack, surging past Jordan Henderson and Robertson, his subsequent shot was
too close to Adrian and allowed the Spaniard to save. Nevertheless, Pepe’s performance suggested he has

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