Lacazette shines as Arsenal end Liverpool hopes of record points haul

July 15

23:02 2020

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Arsenal came from behind to overcome Liverpool, the new English Premier League (EPL) champions, 2-1 at the Emirates stadium, thanks to goals from Alexandre Lacazette and Reiss Nelson.

It was an error-filled first half in which Arsenal capitalised on, and a dodged second period for Mikel Arteta’s London side that had to defend for its entirety.

The win was Arsenal’s first over the Reds since 2015, and also Jurgen Klopp’s first league defeat to the London side since he became Liverpool manager.

Liverpool took the lead on 20 minutes through Sadio Mane, with the Senegalese striker turning in Andy Robertson’s low cross on the stretch for his sixth goal against Arsenal.

The Gunners were, however, able to turn the game around in the first half after uncharacteristic errors by two of Liverpool’s most reliable performers.

Virgil van Dijk played a blind back pass which was straight to Lacazette and the Arsenal striker rounded the goalkeeper before passing into an empty net.

The second error came from Allison Becker on 44 minutes after he played a pass that found Lacazette again. The in-form striker however crossed to Nelson who found the bottom corner for a half-time lead.

It was Liverpool’s pacey attack against Arsenal’s rag-tag defence in the second half, with the Anfield club enjoying 78.7% possession but could not breach the Gunners goal.

The EPl champions squandered the chance to break the 100-point barrier for the season. The Reds needed to win all of their remaining games to eclipse the points set by then champions Manchester City two seasons ago.