Liverpool’s typically reliable defensive duo, Virgil van Dijk (32) and Alisson (31), experienced a defensive breakdown against Arsenal on Sunday that resembled scenes from an amateur match.
However, manager Jurgen Klopp refrained from assigning blame. In the 67th minute, Van Dijk hesitated under pressure from Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, failing to handle a long ball forward.
Subsequently, goalkeeper Alisson rushed out but failed to make contact with the ball, allowing Martinelli an easy tap-in, resulting in a score of 2-1.
This turn of events deflated Klopp’s league-leading team, and Leandro Trossard’s stoppage-time goal sealed their second league defeat of the season.
“We were growing more into the game in the second half; we had our moments and then we conceded that goal,” Klopp said. “That doesn’t help. It just shows the boys are human beings.
“Today we were really human.”
Lacklustre Liverpool were nowhere near their best and their lead has now been cut to two points, while champions Manchester City are five points behind with two games in hand.
“In general, we can admit that Arsenal deserve the three points,” Klopp said. “The circumstances were a bit strange.
“They scored goals and were many parts better than us. We have to play better football; that’s clear.”
Van Dijk, usually a colossus for Klopp, held up his hand and took full responsibility for his part in Martinelli’s goal.
“Obviously, these things don’t happen too often in my career, but I will recover from them,” he said.
“It is a physical game and I am not looking for excuses. I should have made a better decision; it hurts for me.”
Arsenal secured an early lead courtesy of Bukayo Saka and displayed dominance, but their momentum was dampened just before halftime when Gabriel’s own goal handed Liverpool an equaliser.
However, Arsenal bounced back in the second half, capitalising on defensive errors from Liverpool.
This victory marked Arsenal’s third consecutive league win, placing Mikel Arteta’s team firmly back in contention in the title race. A defeat would have left them trailing by eight points, but their resilience has kept them in the mix for the title.
“It gives us momentum—three wins in a row—and the way we have done it we are back on it—really excited,” Arteta said.
“It was a huge game that was going to dictate where we are and where we’re going to be. What the players produced was phenomenal.”