Jota secures end-to-end Liverpool win over Arsenal

Diogo Jota’s first goal for Liverpool secured a 3-1 win over Arsenal at Anfield, in an end to end encounter in which the dominant home side continually looked terrified of the Gunners’ counter-attacking threat.

Liverpool’s first-half performance was dominant from the off, with their front three continually finding space in and around Arsenal’s box, but it was the away side that opened the scoring, with a cross into the Reds’ box miscontrolled by Andy Robertson, allowing Alexandre Lacazette to fumble home for a 25th minute lead.

Not to be deterred though, Liverpool continued to surge at their opposition, with Mohamed Salah finding space down the right hand side channel, before turning Kieran Tierney inside out and firing a fierce shot at Bernd Leno who parried it straight into the path of Sadio Mané to level things up.

And just over 10 minutes before half-time, Robertson was gifted the chance to atone for his error, with the cross of in-form Trent Alexander-Arnold clearing the awaiting players in the middle of the box, finding its way to Robertson to make the game 2-1.

After the break, Arsenal came out as a completely different beast, and despite giving Liverpool plenty of chances to extend their lead, Jurgen Klopp’s side looked absolutely terrified every time they were countered on, with Lacazette and Ainsley Maitland-Niles both wasting good opportunities.

But then it was the turn of substitute Diogo Jota to miss out on some golden chances, with Salah picking him out free and open in the box, Jota hid the side netting, and minutes later, Salah took the ball off the Portugese who was again alone in acres of space ready to tap home.

But with two minutes to play, Jota’s most difficult chance was presented, and with the ball played to him on the edge of the box, Liverpool’s record forward signing chested and volleyed home off Leno’s points for a nervy, but entertaining 3-1 win.

🆚#LFC’s Alisson passes a late fitness test in order to try and stop #AFC’s two game winning run over the Reds.

Opposing him will be Bernd Leno, who’s been equally important as the Brazilian in his team’s revival, with the two set to be key men in tonight's clash. #LIVARS pic.twitter.com/zOllCwFgsK

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) September 28, 2020