Liverpool vs Arsenal live: Reds record emphatic 3-1 victory as Gunners suffer yet another decisive setback

Follow the latest from the Premier League clash at Anfield

Roberto Firmino celebrates after scoring Liverpool's opening goal against Arsenal (Getty)

Liverpool overtook Arsenal to jump into third place in the Premier League table after recording an emphatic 3-1 victory over Arsene Wenger's side, with the biggest talking point being his decision to leave Alexis Sanchez out of the starting line-up only to go 2-0 down before half-time. Re-live the action here.

• Liverpool beat Arsenal 3-1
• Reds take the lead through ninth-minute strike from Roberto Firmino
• Sadio Mane doubles the advantage midway through the first half
• Wenger sent Sanchez on at half-time to try and claw back the match
• Sanchez set-up Danny Welbeck to score shortly after
• Georginio Wijnaldum completes scoring with counter-attack in final minute
• Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Klavan, Matip, Milner, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Coutinho, Mane, Firmino.
• Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Monreal, Xhaka, Coquelin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Welbeck, Giroud.

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Preview...

​Liverpool will hope to bounce back from defeat when they host Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday night.

Jurgen Klopp's side were abysmal in Monday's reverse at struggling Leicester City, but they have only tended to struggle when against Premier League's lesser lights.

The last time Arsenal were in action, Wayne Shaw was still Sutton United's reserve goalkeeper. It's been almost a fortnight without a competitive fixture for Arsène Wenger's men.

What time is kick-off?

The match will kick off at 5.30pm on Saturday 4 March at Anfield.

Where can I watch it?

It will be shown live on BT Sport 1, with coverage starting at 5.00pm.

It’s a big game for…

Jurgen Klopp: The German admitted after Liverpool's defeat by Leicester that matters are “getting more serious now”, arguing that his own future could be on the line should his side’s poor run of form continue. Klopp knows how whimsical football can be and as the Reds continue to dwell outside of the top four, the spotlight has subsequently turned to him.

Still, Liverpool’s form against the league’s top teams bodes well (they’re currently unbeaten against their top-six rivals) and if Klopp’s men can brush aside Arsenal on Saturday, victory will bring some much-needed relief to Anfield following a difficult couple of weeks for the club.

Remember when…

The Gunners were humiliated 5-1 at Anfield in 2014? Goals from Martin Skrtel, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge fired the home side to an impressive victory against a lifeless-looking Arsenal side.

Player to watch…

Philippe Coutinho: The Brazilian was perhaps Liverpool’s only consistent attacking threat in the side’s 3-1 defeat on Monday night. His goal was not enough to provoke a fight back from the visitors but it showcased his ability to create something out of a seemingly lost cause. Should Liverpool find themselves with their backs against the wall on Saturday, Coutinho could be the man who Anfield subsequently turns to.

Coutinho celebrates scoring Liverpool's only goal against Leicester (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Past three meetings…

Arsenal 3 Liverpool 4
Premier League, August 2016

Liverpool 3 Arsenal 3
Premier League, January 2016

Arsenal 0 Liverpool 0
Premier League, August 2015

Predicted line-ups…

Liverpool: Mignolet; Clyne, Matip, Lovren, Milner; Lallana, Can; Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Coutinho.

Arsenal: Cech; Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Gibbs; Ramsey, Xhaka; Walcott, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Sanchez.

Form guide…

Liverpool: LWLDLL

Arsenal: WLWLLW

Odds…

Odds provided by 888.com

Liverpool to win: 28/25

Arsenal to win: 13/5

Draw: 49/20

[4 March 2017 18:45 · Joe Miles]

57 MINS

GOAL

LIVERPOOL 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Substitute Sanchez threads the ball through to Welbeck, who looks up and cleverly dinks it over Mignolet. It's a tremendous finish, but you have to salute the input of Sanchez following his introduction at half time. 

Game on!

[4 March 2017 18:47 · Joe Miles]

59 MINS

Mane charges forward and finds Coutinho, who delivers a drilled ball across the face of goal. Mustafi comes flying in and intercepts the ball - top defending. 

[4 March 2017 18:50 · Joe Miles]

62 MINS

Arsenal continue to look the better of the two sides, with Bellerin looking to find Sanchez inside of the area. Clyne does well defensively to deny the Chilean striker. 

[4 March 2017 18:52 · Joe Miles]

64 MINS

Mane performs sublime skill in possession again and he feeds Clyne down the right, but the 25-year-old wastes the attack and fires the strike high over the bar. 

[4 March 2017 18:55 · Joe Miles]

67 MINS

Sanchez bombs forward on the counter attack, but Bellerin's cross into the box is blocked by Matip. It's end-to-end stuff here at Anfield.

[4 March 2017 18:55 · Joe Miles]

68 MINS

Yellow card: Can is booked for a late challenge on Sanchez.

[4 March 2017 19:00 · Joe Miles]

71 MINS

Arsenal continue to relentlessly attack, but their efforts remain unrewarded. Sanchez is down holding his face, but hopefully he will be able to play on. 

[4 March 2017 19:02 · Joe Miles]

74 MINS

Coutinho collects possession on the edge of the box, but his strike flies way over the bar.

Substitutions:

Walcott replaces Welbeck

Perez replaces Giroud.

[4 March 2017 19:05 · Joe Miles]

77 MINS

Walcott bursts forwards with the ball, then Can and Matip both go sliding in and hack the Arsenal man down. With Can already carrying a yellow, he got lucky there. 

[4 March 2017 19:06 · Joe Miles]

79 MINS

Yellow card: Xhaka receives a booking for descent towards the referee.