By Alan Duffy
A scintillating performance by Arsenal at the Emirates in Saturday’s early game all but extinguished Liverpool’s hopes of a top-four finish.
Man of the moment Raheem Sterling started up front for the visitors, but it was the Gunners who looked sharper from the off. Aaron Ramsey should’ve scored after shoddy work from ex-Gunner Kolo Touré early on. However, a dismal pass from Lazar Markovic denied Sterling a simple tap-in as the Reds got themselves back into the game.
But then, in an eight-minute goal-frenzy, the Gunners were 3-0 up by half-time. Full-back Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil (with a fine free-kick) and a howitzer from Alexis Sanchez stunned Liverpool, with both the Merseysiders’ defence and ‘keeper Simon Mignolet disappointing for at least the first two goals…
Here’s some cracking fans’ footage of the Ozil free-kick…
Sanchez’s strike was right at Mignolet but had too much power and dip for the Liverpool keeper.
After the break, Brendan Rodgers did get one back, courtesy of a Jordan Henderson spot-kick after Sterling was felled in the box by Bellerin. Indeed, the Spaniard was lucky not to see red as he had already been booked.
However, the sending-off of Emre Can for a second-yellow put paid to the Reds’ hopes of a comeback, with Olivier Giroud firing home the Gunners’ fourth.
A fine and well-deserved win for the north Londoners, which sees them seven points behind league leaders Chelsea, but more importantly, nine points clear of Liverpool in fifth.
Here are the highlights for your delectation…
Photos: Getty Images
Highlights: Footytube