Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Arsenal vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction as Jota and Firmino win it for Reds

Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: Follow all the reaction and updates from the Emirates Stadium

Michael Jones
Wednesday 16 March 2022 22:47 GMT
Comments
Liverpool and Arsenal square off in a crucial Premier League encounter
Liverpool and Arsenal square off in a crucial Premier League encounter (AP)

The clash between Arsenal and Liverpool had big ramifications at the top of the Premier League table and it was Liverpool who moved within a point of Man City at the summit.

Liverpool keep winning, this 2-0 victory making it nine in a row in the Premier League, to also keep the initiative in this title race. Arsenal again failed to beat one of the elite sides.

There’s no harm in that given the quality of the opposition, and it doesn’t do much damage to their top-four chances, but the real pain will come from knowing how close they were.

Martin Odegaard had a great chance to put the Gunners ahead and give them what would have been a deserved lead. Alisson Becker saved, however, and Diogo Jota surged up the other end. Aaron Ramsdale didn’t show anything like the assurance of the Brazilian as he was beaten at his near post but Jota’s decent, but saveable, effort.

As if to hammer home the point, there was then a moment of real desire from Andy Robertson. Arsenal had just managed to clear a goalmouth scramble, only for the wing-back to chase down a lost cause, pinch the ball off a dithering Bukayo Saka and effectively win the game. He squared for Roberto Firmino, who gloriously flicked the ball in.

Follow the action as the Gunners take on Liverpool in the Premier League:

Liverpool close to within a point of Manchester City with victory over Arsenal

Liverpool struck twice in eight second-half minutes to win at Arsenal and move to within a point of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

With City held to a goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Monday night, Liverpool took full advantage, winning their game in hand 2-0 as Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino scored the goals.

The pair have history against the Gunners – this was Jota’s seventh goal in as many appearances against Arsenal for Liverpool, while Firmino now has nine goals against them, his best return against a single opponent.

The meeting between City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on April 10 will now go a huge way to deciding whether Pep Guardiola’s side will retain their crown or the Reds make it two titles in three years.

Liverpool close to within a point of Manchester City with victory over Arsenal

Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino scored as Jurgen Klopp’s side triumphed 2-0.

Michael Jones16 March 2022 22:25

Reaction from Liverpool’s Andy Robertson

Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson spoke to Sky Sports after the game and said that his team could have played better but were the more clinical side in front of goal. He said:

We played a bit better in the second half. We started the game really well and had a few chances but then they had the better of the first half.

“We knew we could play better and could find the half-spaces a bit better. It worked. We were a lot more dominant in the second half and was more clinical.

“Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka are really hard work. I think Trent Alexander-Arnold was outstanding. It was a really tough game. It was great to have a clean sheet and I’m really happy for Bobby [Roberto Firmino] getting his goal.

“I don’t like games in hand much, I would rather points. I would still rather be in their position. They are a point ahead. They are a fantastic team, one of the best in the world. Then it’s a sprint to the finish line. We’re in the race so we need to focus on what we’re doing. We still have to go to their place. We have another huge game on Sunday - a chance to get to Wembley. But if we keep winning games we’ll be there or thereabouts at the moment.”

Michael Jones16 March 2022 22:22

Liverpool dig deep to beat Arsenal and move just one point behind Man City

It’s as you were, and yet a show of how you seize a moment.

Liverpool keep winning, this 2-0 victory making it nine in a row in the Premier League, to also keep the initiative in this title race. Arsenal again fail to beat one of the elite sides.

There’s no harm in that given the quality of the opposition, and it doesn’t do much damage to their top-four chances, but the real pain will come from knowing how close they were.

Martin Odegaard had a great chance to put Arsenal ahead and give them what would have been a deserved lead. Alisson Becker saved, however, and Diogo Jota surged up the other end. Aaron Ramsdale didn’t show anything like the assurance of the Brazilian.

As if to hammer home the point, there was then a moment of real desire from Andy Robertson. Arsenal had just managed to clear a goalmouth scramble, only for the wing-back to chase down a lost cause and effectively win the game. He squared for Roberto Firmino, who gloriously flicked the ball in.

Liverpool dig deep to beat Arsenal and move just one point behind Man City

Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool: The Reds are right on the leaders’ coat-tails after Jota and Firmino net in the second half

Michael Jones16 March 2022 22:19

Arsenal 0 - 2 Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold (11), Mo Salah (10) and Andy Robertson (10) have all made 10+ assists in the Premier League this season, the first time a team has had three players do so since 2019-20, when the same three men also managed it for Liverpool.

Michael Jones16 March 2022 22:16

Arsenal 0 - 2 Liverpool

As things stand Liverpool sit a point below Manchester City in second having now played the same number of games.

Arsenal remain in fourth, with two games in hand on Manchester United, who they lead by a point.

Tottenham are up to seventh just three points behind the Gunners with a game in hand on West Ham and Man Utd above them.

Michael Jones16 March 2022 22:13

Arsenal 0 - 2 Liverpool

Despite not scoring in this fixture since 2018, Roberto Firmino has now scored nine goals against Arsenal in all competitions, more than versus any other opponent since joining Liverpool.

(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Michael Jones16 March 2022 22:10

Full-time: Arsenal 0 - 2 Liverpool

90+3 mins: Liverpool march on! They win their ninth league game in a row and move to within one point of leaders Manchester City. It was always going to be a difficult match for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and for 54 minutes they were up to the task. Diogo Jota’s opener changed the momentum of the game and Roberto Firmino’s second finished off the Gunners. They fought well to keep it down to two but Liverpool’s game management was too good for them to get back into the match.

Michael Jones16 March 2022 22:05

Arsenal 0 - 2 Liverpool

90 mins: Curtis Jones replaces Thiago Alcantara for Liverpool and a few vital seconds are taken out of the game. There’s going to be three minutes of added time to play at the end of the game.

Michael Jones16 March 2022 22:01

Arsenal 0 - 2 Liverpool

88 mins: Close! That was the chance! Liverpool defend a free kick into the box and try to move out quickly but Arsenal recover the ball. Granit Xhaka turns the ball back towards goal and slides a pass into the left side of the box for Martinelli. He opens up and angles a shot towards the far bottom corner. Alisson is beaten but the shot goes wide of the back post!

Michael Jones16 March 2022 22:00

Arsenal 0 - 2 Liverpool

86 mins: Liverpool have dropped down the gears now and area allowing Arsenal time on the ball but the Gunners haven’t created much. The visitors are happy to defend and see out the match. It’s going to be a huge win for them if them get over the line. They’ll just be one point behind Manchester City at the top of the table.

Michael Jones16 March 2022 21:58

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in