(Football news) Liverpool secured a massive three points in the Premier League with a 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium and piled pressure on league leaders and reigning champions Manchester City. The Gunners went for an unchanged lineup that defeated Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday while Jurgen Klopp had to drop Mohamed Salah to the bench due to his fitness concerns with Diogo Jota replacing the Egyptian and Thiago Alcantara playing in the starting XI instead of Naby Keita. 

Diogo Jota broke the deadlock in the 54th minute while Roberto Firmino extended Liverpool’s lead less than 10 minutes later. Aaron Ramsdale should have done better to stop Liverpool’s first goal as Jota’s low shot squeezed beyond him at the near post. Arsenal started the game with a high tempo and Gabriel Martinelli was sublime on the left wing but the Gunners failed to make use of their chances. Arsenal also had the opportunity to find the back of the net when Martin Odegaard failed to beat Alisson Becker from point blank range after a sloppy back pass by Thiago Alcantara.

The result means that Arsenal’s five game winning run has now come to an end while Liverpool have won nine consecutive games and are currently just one point behind leaders Manchester City. Speaking after the match, Jurgen Klopp said “It's really special. Coming here in our situation, and their situation, and not having a brilliant first half and then turning the game in the right direction is pretty special. You have to be on your toes because they are a proper threat. We have had a good period. We are one point behind but the only thing we can do is win football games. No game is easy in this incredible league and we have to keep going. 

"The only thing I'm really interested in is how we can prepare for the next game, how we can get through this. It's so difficult – I think it's game number 13 since we met Arsenal in the Carabao Cup. For them it's seven – that's six more games for us. We don't complain about it, we wanted it like this. Let's see how it goes. In 10 years, do you think somebody will say you should be proud [of finishing second by one point]? Probably not. We know we have a special group here and we're trying to squeeze everything we can out of the situation."

Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta said “From box to box we were at least at their level or better. But in the boxes, that's where they won the game. We went toe to toe against the best team in the league right now and big credit to the players. I want to win every football game, but I am very proud of the boys and the performance and the connection with the fans, they stayed with the players until the end. I think it should make them realise there is another step and the gap is smaller. I have never seen an atmosphere like this (at the club), that's the reality."

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