Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal: 6 Things We Learned from Reds' Demolition of Gunners
Two goals apiece from Martin Skrtel and Raheem Sterling, and another composed finish from Daniel Sturridge, handed Liverpool a 5-1 trouncing of Arsenal in the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday.
A ferocious performance from Brendan Rodgers' squad started perfectly as Skrtelโs header gave them a lead within the first minute. He followed up with a brilliant header from a Steven Gerrard corner to double the Redsโ lead at 10 minutes.
Raheem Sterling then found himself on the end of a flowing Liverpool move and on the scoresheet, before Daniel Sturridge latched onto a glorious through-ball from Philippe Coutinho to score the hostsโ fourth.
After Sterling got himself a secondโand Liverpool a fifthโGerrardโs challenge on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain earned Arsenal a consolation penalty, with Gunners captain Mikel Arteta scoring from 12 yards.
Here are six things we learned from Liverpoolโs demolition of Arsenal on Saturday. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The Curious Case of Liverpoolโs Set Pieces
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There were two set pieces within the first 10 minutes for Liverpool, and two goals, both created by Gerrard and scored by Skrtel.
So continues the curious case of Liverpoolโs set pieces. How can a side known for being weak at defending set pieces be so prolific at scoring from them?
With 22 already notched, Liverpool have now scored more goals from set pieces (including penalties) than any other Premier League side this season (as of the end of the match). More than a third of the Redsโ 63 league goals this season have come from set pieces.
By contrast, they have conceded seven goals from set pieces, approaching a fourth of their 30 goals against, and thatโs not counting penalties.
Week by week, Steven Gerrard continues to provide strong evidence that he is the Premier Leagueโs finest set piece taker; todayโs two assists today wonโt have done that reputation any harm.
Raheem Sterling Continues His Rise to Prominence
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Once in a while, a performance comes along that makes everyone stand up and take note of a new player coming of age. On Saturday, that was Raheem Sterling.
Sure, he got himself two goals, the first well taken and the second after a fortuitous parry from Wojciech Szczesny right back to him, but it wasnโt just about the double haul.
Not only did Sterling get into fantastic positions on the counterattack, but he didnโt for a second neglect his defensive duties and proved to be an important outlet on Liverpoolโs flanks.
It was clear even from his first few months in English football that Sterling had more than just pace and dribbling about him, but since reestablishing himself in Brendan Rodgersโ team in December, heโs developed his footballing intelligence and taken more responsibility on the pitch.
To firmly establish himself as one of the best wingers in the Premier League, Sterling needs to further work on his finishing, to ensure that he gets the rewards from his excellent attacking play.
But will Feb. 8, 2014 prove to be the making of Raheem Sterling? Only time will tell, but his improvement so far suggests that he still has a long way to go yet.
Press the Midfield Like Your Lives Depend on It
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Saturdayโs trouncing was all the more surprising, considering that Liverpool were quite comprehensively outplayed in November at the Emirates Stadium.
Skrtelโs early goal definitely made a difference, as it meant Arsenal had to chase the game right from the beginning, but the way the home side approached the match also had a telling influence on the outcome.
Whereas Aaron Ramsey powered his way through the Reds midfield time and again in November, this time Liverpool never allowed Arsenal to enjoy any time on the ball, as the entire midfield set about a frantic and relentless pressing game that forced errors and back passes from the Gunners' midfield.
Jordan Henderson put in another famous workhorse shift, but it wasnโt just him: Luis Suarez defended from the front, Philippe Coutinho belied his slight frame with a performance of power and pace, and Sterlingโs defensive work arguably outshone his attacking contributions.
This was Brendan Rodgersโ midfield blueprint blossoming on the pitch.
Jack Wilshere and Mikel Arteta Are Not a Title-Winning Midfield
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With Mathieu Flamini and Aaron Ramsey both out of contention for Saturdayโs clash, Arsenalโs midfield lacked bite, steel and energy.
Jack Wilshere was more petulant than probing, while Mikel Artetaโs lack of acceleration and pace on the turn proved an Achillesโ heel against the high-energy pressing game that the Liverpool midfield adopted.
With Wilshere showing his frustration via a few cynical fouls and failing to assert himself on a big stage, he showed that while he has the tools to become a great player, he still has a ways to mature and develop his mental game.
Ramsey has scored eight goals and provided six assists this season, contributing to almost 30 percent of Arsenalโs total league goal haul, and has been a big miss for Arsene Wengerโs side.
On Saturday, it was a fellow homegrown talent, Jordan Henderson, along with the previous holder of the โbest box-to-box midfielder in the leagueโ tag, Steven Gerrard, who formed the crux of a dominant midfield.
When Liverpool Are on Song, They Are Frighteningly Good
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In 13 home games this season, Liverpool have scored 38 Premier League goals, almost an average of three per gameโand thatโs including a draw and a loss.
Theyโve scored four or more goals in eight league matches out of their 25 already played this season. Including a 5-0 rout and 4-0 Merseyside derby demolition of fellow top-four challengers Tottenham Hotspur and Everton, and now a 5-1 trouncing of a title hopeful.
In Luis Suarez (23 goals) and Daniel Sturridge (15), the Reds have the two highest-scoring players in the league. (Sturridge is tied with Manchester Cityโs Sergio Aguero.)
Simply put: When Liverpool are on song, they are frighteningly good. When the players carry out Rodgersโ pressing plans and passing game to perfection, Liverpool take some stopping.
Besides the aesthetically pleasing controlling approach that they are still perfecting game by game, they have now added the set piece and the counterattack to their arsenal.
What happens when they shore up their defence and boost their midfield?
Underdog Tag Suits Liverpool Perfectly
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While Liverpool are now painted as favorites to finish in the top four, they still entered Saturdayโs clash perhaps as underdogs considering the quality of their opposition.
Given the comprehensive manner of Arsenalโs defeat, just as they did after the Gunnersโ loss to Aston Villa on the opening day of the season, the attention may focus squarely on the weaknesses of Arsene Wengerโs team and how they may fail to win the title after all, leaving the spotlight firmly away from Liverpool.
That will suit Brendan Rodgersโ side just fine.
Liverpool have historically outperformed expectations when classed as underdogsโand given Manchester Cityโs draw at Norwich City this weekend, suddenly the Reds are just four points off third place.
That will probably slip under the radar for a few weeks yet, as the discussions revolve around Arsenal and Cityโs dips and Chelseaโs rise to the Premier League summit.
But if Liverpool keep plugging away and also winning those matches theyโre favorites in, who knows whatโs in store come May?
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