CNN
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It could simply solely be October, nevertheless it appears as if Liverpool’s English Premier League title problem may very well be all however over even earlier than Halloween after Jurgen Klopp’s males suffered a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
A brace from Bukayo Saka and an early strike from Gabriel Martinelli secured victory for the Londoners, who transfer a degree above Manchester Metropolis on the high of the desk after 9 video games.
For Liverpool, this was one other afternoon to neglect for a aspect which challenged on all fronts final season. After eight video games, the Reds are tenth within the league – 14 factors behind the Gunners – after simply two victories. The workforce is a way under the requirements set in latest seasons.
With Klopp’s males subsequent taking part in Manchester Metropolis, the deficit may very well be even greater by subsequent Sunday ought to the Merseysiders lose to Pep Guardiola’s males.
Liverpool made the worst attainable begin, conceding within the first minute as Martinelli put the Gunners forward after 58 seconds.
Summer time signing Darwin Nunez leveled within the thirty fourth minute just for Saka to place the house workforce forward as soon as once more with a strike simply earlier than the break.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, closely criticized this season for his half in Liverpool’s poor begin, shall be criticized once more for his position in Arsenal’s two opening targets and, maybe tellingly, the right-back was substituted at half-time and changed by Joe Gomez, often a middle again.
Arsenal, a lot improved this season, performed brilliantly for huge durations of the match, illustrating why Mikel Arteta’s workforce tops the league.
Certainly, the house workforce might have scored extra earlier than Roberto Firmino equalized for the guests within the 53rd minute.
With quarter-hour remaining, Arsenal was awarded a penalty and Saka beat Alisson from the spot to place the Gunners within the lead for the third time within the match.
Moments after an excellent double save from Alisson, Reds midfielder Thiago clipped Gabriel Jesus which referee Michael Oliver deemed was a penalty.