Arsenal vs. Liverpool: Arsene Wenger and Brendan Rodgers Post-Match Reaction

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes it will be "very, very difficult to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League, after Arsenal smashed his side 4-1 in north London, per BBC Sport. Goals from Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud drove a stake into Liverpool's hopes for a top-four finish.

By contrast, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believes his team can still be a factor in the title race, per BTSportsHub:

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Arsene Wenger still has eyes on the title after Arsenal's 4-1 win over Liverpool. http://t.co/R5OBaCE5M9

— SportsHUB (@BTSportsHUB) April 4, 2015"

Rodgers felt his usually free-flowing and attack-minded team were too cautious from the start. He also chided shoddy defending for contributing to a 3-0 half-time deficit, per BBC Sport:

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Right from the kick off we were too negative. We like to play forward but we put ourselves under the pressure and in the first 10 minutes and they had control.

I thought after that we started to find our passes and we were the better team and created the best chances. So we were looking to go in at half time 0-0 or maybe in front - but then we defended very poorly for all three goals."

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Skipper Jordan Henderson also lamented the shaky defending, per BBC Sport: "the last 15 minutes of the half we weren't good enough defending one-on-one and we need to be better."

Arsenal's superb performance was an odd joining point between both ends of Wenger's team-building philosophy. The opening goal from 20-year-old full-back Bellerin was a reward for the manger's continued faith in blooding young talent.

Wenger was full of praise for the dynamic youngster, per the club's official Twitter feed:

Meanwhile, the stunning strikes from Ozil and Sanchez, the two most expensive signings in Arsenal's history, showed how Wenger's approach has evolved. Where once precocious gems like Bellerin were the foundation of his squad, now youth merely supports a foundation of star talent.

Wenger had positive words for Sanchez's seemingly endless reserves of energy:

Arsenal's chief also lauded Ozil's quality and growing influence:

Another fine performance from the German is yet more evidence that he's finally delivering on a consistent basis. Often criticised last season, the mercurial schemer is in fine form, according to Opta Joe:

The Gunners have spent big to earn genuine match-winners. Their star power up front was the difference in the game. While Sanchez sparkled, Liverpool's premier attacking talent floundered.

Squawks Football detailed the contrast:

Raheem Sterling had been under the spotlight pre-match thanks to recent links to Arsenal, per Mirror reporter John Cross. The player attempted to quiet the speculation during an interview with BBC Sports' Natalie Pirks, during which he described the Arsenal link as "quite flattering."

But Rodgers defended the young contract rebel's performance against those same Gunners: "Raheem was outstanding I thought. The kid did great. What happened midweek did not distract us."

Rodgers was even more effusive about his star attraction later on, per The Telegraph's Henry Winter:

Predictably, Wenger was quizzed again about possible interest in England international Sterling after the game. The Frenchman suggested the story is a media fabrication and endorsed his current wealth of forward talent, per Winter:

This Arsenal squad is certainly amply stocked in key areas, particularly attack. That firepower will be vital in a late push for a highest league finish 2005.

As for Liverpool, the sale of Luis Suarez and too many injuries to Daniel Sturridge have ultimately caught up with the Anfield club. Rodgers seems set for a major rebuild this summer.