Pep Guardiola seemed to be sounding unnecessarily cautious. Manchester City were 13 points ahead of Chelsea and 14 clear of Liverpool. The obituaries for the title race were being written. Guardiola thought they were premature. “In January, it is impossible it is over,” he said.
He may take little pleasure in being vindicated. Now City’s lead is down to one point. Liverpool have reeled off nine straight wins, taking eight more points than anyone else in a two-month period. They finished the 2018-19 season with nine consecutive victories. Doing so again will entail beating City at the Etihad Stadium. It would also make them champions.
Jurgen Klopp branded momentum “the most fragile flower in the world” but Liverpool have it. They have proved in the past they can sustain it, most notably on a sensational charge of 35 wins out of 36 between March 2019 and February 2020. It was historically brilliant.
On paper, a trip to Arsenal was the second hardest game in this season’s run-in. They prevailed 2-0. Klopp delighted afterwards in Liverpool’s 17th clean sheet of the Premier League campaign.
It was a seventh in nine games in a time when they have only been breached by Odsonne Edouard of Crystal Palace and Norwich winger Milot Rashica.
It is a spell when the often unheralded Joel Matip has been anointed the Premier League’s player of the month, when Virgil van Dijk has returned to his commanding best and when Alisson, as his save from Martin Odegaard demonstrated, has often been a spectator but has made vital interventions.
Andy Robertson kept Bukayo Saka unusually quiet on Wednesday while Trent Alexander-Arnold fought a brilliant duel with Gabriel Martinelli. Liverpool may yet regret the five times they lost leads to draw in the first 20 matches of the season but there has been no repeat in the last nine.
Klopp’s side have acquired a formidable air at both ends of the pitch. If Mohamed Salah’s presence on the bench at the Emirates Stadium was the product of a minor foot injury, it nevertheless demonstrated a strength in depth.
Divock Origi, long Klopp’s talismanic super-sub, did not even make the matchday squad. Klopp’s holy trinity became a fab four and then a famous five with the additions of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz.
Arsenal v Liverpool ratings
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ARSENAL RATINGS: Aaron Ramsdale – 4. The 23-year-old was beaten at the near post for the opening goal. It seemed to affect his confidence afterwards and he might have done better when Liverpool doubled the lead. AP -
Cedric Soares – 6. The Portuguese had a good first half but drifted too wide on Liverpool’s first goal. That lapse in concentration allowed Jota the room to score. AP -
Ben White – 6. The 24-year-old was in control during the first 45 minutes but had a more difficult second half. Better communication with Soares may have stopped the opening goal. Reuters -
Gabriel – 5. The Brazilian had two opportunities to clear the ball before the second goal. He grew more uncertain as the game went on. Getty -
Kieran Tierney – 6. The Scot did well defensively against a rotating front three but was not able to generate much traction going forward. AP -
Thomas Partey – 7. The Ghanaian managed to evade Liverpool’s press and was at the heart of Arsenal’s best work in the first half. He was less effective after the break. Action Images -
Granit Xhaka – 6. The Swiss was efficient on the ball but lacked the pace and mobility to dominate in games like this. He needs to be more creative. AFP -
Bukayo Saka – 5. The 20-year-old did not trouble Robertson very often. His ineffective clearance allowed Liverpool to score the second goal. He was withdrawn for Pepe with 16 minutes left. Action Images -
Martin Odegaard – 4. The Norwegian had a chance to give Arsenal the lead but was foiled by Alisson. That was the turning point of a game in which the 23-year-old was never able to impose himself and he was replaced by Smith Rowe in the 67th minute. Getty -
Gabriel Martinelli – 7. The Brazilian was the best of the Arsenal forwards. He caused problems for Alexander-Arnold. Better crossing might have changed the game. AP -
Alexandre Lacazette – 5. The Frenchman was easily contained by Liverpool’s centre-backs. His movement was disappointing and he offered few options in and around the box. He made way for Nketiah with 10 minutes left. PA -
SUB: Emile Smith Rowe – 5. The 21-year-old came on for Odegaard with 23 minutes to go. He could not get on the ball against Liverpool’s hard press. AFP -
SUB: Nicolas Pepe – 5. The winger replaced Saka with 16 minutes to go. He was unable to influence proceedings as Liverpool closed out the game. EPA -
SUB: Eddie Nketiah – 5. The 22-year-old was given the last 10 minutes at Lacazette’s expense. He found the physicality of the defence hard to deal with. Getty Images -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker – 7. The Brazilian’s save from Odegaard in the second half was a turning point. He was composed and in control throughout. EPA -
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6. The 23-year-old had a tough night against Martinelli and could have been helped out more by Mane and Diaz. He stuck to his task and worked hard. PA -
Joel Matip – 7. The 30-year-old kept Lacazette quiet. He took every opportunity to step forward with the ball at his feet. EPA -
Virgil van Dijk – 7. The Dutchman forced Ramsdale to save a header from a corner and kept the Arsenal forwards on a tight rein. He was calm when the defence was under pressure. AFP -
Andrew Robertson – 8. The Scot ensured Sako was rarely a danger. He raided forward whenever there was a chance and set up the second goal. EPA -
Jordan Henderson – 7. The captain seemed off the pace before the break but grew in stature in the second half. He was influential during the period when Liverpool wrapped up the game. AFP -
Fabinho – 6. The Brazilian was caught in the wrong areas in the first half and the game passed him by. After the break he sat deeper and was much better. PA -
Thiago Alcantara – 6. The 30-year-old had a poor first half and presented Arsenal with a good chance after the break. He redeemed himself with a splendid pass to Jota for the opening goal. Replaced by Jones in the final minute. AFP -
Sadio Mane – 6. The Senegalese ran hard but was unable to get into goalscoring positions. His pace became a factor when Arsenal chased the game. Getty -
Diogo Jota – 6. The Portuguese’s touch was off. He was just about to be substituted when he scored the opening goal. He was taken off anyway and replaced by Firmino in the 56th minute. AP -
Luis Diaz – 5. The Colombian worked both wings but had little joy on either side. He made way for Salah in the 56th minute. AFP -
SUB: Roberto Firmino – 8. The Brazilian was excellent when he came on for Jota. He held the ball up nicely, kept possession and scored the second goal. EPA -
SUB: Mohamed Salah – 7. The Egyptian joined the action in the 56th minute in place of Diaz. His mere presence scared Arsenal. AFP -
SUB: Curtis Jones – 6 The 21-year-old replaced Thiago in the final minute. He brought some energy to the closing moments of the game. Getty Images
If Roberto Firmino appeared fifth in line for those three berths, his goal hinted at a possible reinvention: like in his previous appearance, against Internazionale a month earlier, he was the scoring substitute.
It was created by Robertson, who became the third player to register 10 Premier League assists this season. All three are in Klopp’s squad. Diogo Jota’s first goal in eight games meant he assumed outright second place in the scoring charts, behind Salah. Sadio Mane is tied for third.
If City’s model is to share the goals and assists around more, Liverpool have an array of extraordinarily potent individuals and a system that enables them to flourish.
They have lost just three of 46 games in all competitions this season and failed to score in just four; statistics suggest they are harder to beat and harder to keep clean sheets against than City.
The way Liverpool have confounded predictions to in effect catch City with their inspired surge has illustrated why Guardiola against Klopp has become the defining managerial rivalry of recent years.
It is shorn of the acrimony of Alex Ferguson’s feud with Arsene Wenger. It was put on hold for a year by Liverpool’s defensive injuries. But if that suggested the men from Anfield were slipping back to the pack, their resurgence shows otherwise.
They have sprinted into contention as the race approaches its final straight.
Brighton v Liverpool ratings
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BRIGHTON RATINGS: Robert Sanchez - 4 The Spaniard was lucky to escape a red card when he levelled Diaz as the Portuguese opened the scoring. If he had been quicker off the line, he might have reached the ball before the man. AP -
Tariq Lamptey - 4 The 21-year-old was neutralised going forward by Robertson. He also let Diaz run free before the opening goal. Reuters -
Joel Veltman - 5 The Dutchman was bemused by Liverpool’s pace and movement and was often caught in the wrong position. There was too much space between him and Lamptey. Reuters -
Lewis Dunk - 5 The 30-year-old appeared to be a yard short of the pace that was required to control the Liverpool attack. He was solid in the air. PA -
Marc Cucurella - 5 The Spaniard was efficient against a sub-par Salah but was poor in possession. He was unable to generate any threat going forward. Reuters -
Steven Alzate - 3 The Colombian struggled to make an impact. The game bypassed him and he made way for Lallana at half time. Getty -
Yves Bissouma - 5 The 25-year-old was combative in the midfield and made the opposition work in the first half. He was less effective after the break and gave away a needless penalty. Welbeck replaced him in the 66th minute. Getty -
Alexis Mac Allister - 4 The Argentinian showed some nice touches but almost all were in areas that did not hurt Liverpool. In the final third his passes went astray. Getty -
Leandro Trossard - 5 The Belgian hurtled around the pitch but did not get on the ball enough. He blasted a good chance over the bar just after half time. Getty -
Solly March - 5 The winger started to trouble Liverpool late in the game but could not produce a telling pass. The result was no longer in question by the time he started playing. Reuters -
Neal Maupay - 4 The Frenchman left his foot in on Alisson late on and was given a yellow card. It was emblematic of his game. He was repeatedly a split-second too late to the ball. Action Images -
SUBS: Adam Lallana - 3 The former Liverpool player came on for Alzate at half time and lasted just eight minutes before limping off injured. Gross replaced him. PA -
Pascal Gross - 4 The German entered the game in the 53rd minute. He might have remained on the bench for all the impact he had on proceedings. Getty -
Danny Welbeck - 6 The 31-year-old replaced Bissouma with 24 minutes to go. He was lively and tested Alisson with a header. Action Images -
LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 7 The Brazilian had little to do but made a superb save late on from Welbeck. He showed his intelligence when he collected the ball with his body outside the area but with his hands inside the box. Action Images -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7 The 23-year-old was largely in control of his flank. His distribution was not as creative as usual but he used the ball well. March gave him some trouble late on. Getty -
Joel Matip - 8 The 30-year-old was at the top of his game, snuffing out danger with a series of tackles and interceptions. His pass to Diaz for the opening goal was sublime. Getty -
Virgil van Dijk - 7 The Dutchman dominated in the air and was assured on the ground. He read the game superbly and saw danger before it unfolded. AP -
Andrew Robertson - 7 The Scot is developing a fine understanding with Diaz. He was incisive going forward and assured when defending. Getty -
Fabinho - 6 A low-key effort from the Brazilian. He was not as quick to the ball as usual and drifted out of the game for periods. AP -
Jordan Henderson - 7 The captain was busy and eager and combined well with Salah. Milner replaced him with four minutes to go. Action Images -
Naby Keita – 7 The Guinean pressed hard and was neat on the ball. He was effective but made way for Thiago in the 65th minute. Getty -
Mohamed Salah - 7 The Egyptian hit the bar with a deflected effort and scored from the penalty spot to take his goal tally to 20 in the league. Even so, he was not at his best and he limped off to be replaced by Jota in the 65th minute. Getty -
Sadio Mane - 8 The Senegalese was on fine form, even though he rarely threatened to score. His movement ensured the defence could never relax. PA -
Luis Diaz - 8 The Colombian was a handful. His brave goal was the highlight of a performance full of guile and threat. PA -
SUBS: Thiago Alcantara - 6 The 30-year-old joined the action in the 65th minute for Keita. He produced one sublime pass but found it hard to get to the pace of the game. Reuters -
Diogo Jota - 6 The Portuguese replaced Salah with 25 minutes to go. His first touch let him down and he had little influence on the match. Getty -
James Milner - 6 The 36-year-old came on for Henderson with four minutes to go. As usual, he put himself about during this short cameo. AP
