Diaz and Salah suffer
It was a grim afternoon for Liverpool’s wide players at the Emirates. Each, though, for wildly differing reasons.
Until being booted out of the game by clumsy Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, Luis Diaz had been, like in so many recent outings, the Reds’ most dangerous forward.
His direct approach and willingness to run with the ball offered a regular outlet for the opening 42 minutes and caused Ben White, playing at right-back, all sorts of problems.
LFC VERDICT: What Arsenal fans sang at full-time hurts most as Liverpool lose stomach for fight
READ MORE: Arsenal exposed all four of Liverpool's massive problems that Jurgen Klopp must solve
But it was his ability to drift across the front line that helped prompt Liverpool ’s first equaliser, pouncing on a poor touch from Gabriel to sprint into the box down the inside right channel before his cross invited Darwin Nunez to score his third Reds goal.
Small wonder, then, fingers and more besides will be crossed regards Diaz’s injury prognosis, although the initial fear is the Colombian faces an extended spell on the sidelines.
By contrast, rarely can Mohamed Salah have had such an ineffective afternoon on the other flank, the Egyptian, one jinking run and shot aside, alarmingly peripheral until Klopp took the unusual step of withdrawing him.
The Reds boss has long preferred to keep Salah on the pitch for as long as possible due to the winger’s ability to make things happen. That he was sat on the touchline as Liverpool chased in vain for a third equaliser spoke volumes.
Gomez opportunity knocks
Any reminder of the Roy Hodgson era is enough to send a shiver down the spine of any Liverpool supporter who endured that dark period.
But for the first time since his aborted tenure in 2010/11, the Reds have now failed to win any of their opening four Premier League matches on the road.
In truth, the fixture list hasn’t been easy, an opener at promoted Fulham followed by trips to Manchester United, Everton and Arsenal, with a scheduled trip to Chelsea having been postponed.
That, though, isn’t sufficient to explain the brittle nature of Liverpool’s performances away from Anfield this season, the defence again too easily prised apart.
Joe Gomez would not have wanted to make his 150th Liverpool appearance at the expense of the crocked Trent Alexander-Arnold, but there could now be an opening for him at right-back if his team-mate is sidelined for a period.
And given the furore over almost every outing in recent weeks, it may well serve as a blessing in disguise for Alexander-Arnold to be taken out of the firing line.
Ibrahima Konate, meanwhile, looked very much a player making his first outing of the season when thrown on during the final quarter. But at least Klopp now has options.
Bobby dazzles - briefly
So continues Roberto Firmino’s Liverpool farewell tour.
With no suggestion of talks over a new contract, the Reds forward is at present set to depart Anfield when his current deal expires at the end of the season.
And, whether from the start or, as here, thrown on from the bench, the Brazilian seems intent on making the most of his opportunities.
On for the stricken Diaz, Firmino just took 11 minutes to impressively slot home Liverpool’s second equaliser, his 10th in the league against Arsenal – more than any other player in the Reds' history.
It was perhaps inevitable the goal was created by a slide-rule pass from Diogo Jota, another scourge of the Gunners.
And with Nunez producing another encouraging all-round performance to go with his strike, there cannot be too many quibbles with Liverpool’s goal threat – even if their collective defending leaves much to be desired.
Klopp needs to find the right balance – and quickly.
READ MORE:
- ‘You cannot play like that’ - Andy Gray identifies key reason behind Liverpool problems
- Luis Diaz forced off with first-half injury against Arsenal
- Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher slam Liverpool defending as Trent Alexander-Arnold point made
- Trent Alexander-Arnold substituted after Liverpool injury blow against Arsenal
- Liverpool fans make Martin Tyler and Gary Neville point during Arsenal defeat
