Arsenal v Liverpool - 20:00 Monday 24th August.

[SALTIRE]

I was very impressed with young Joe Gomez. For someone as inexperienced as he is at this level he's slotted in brilliantly, and looks like he's been playing in that position for Liverpool for years.

Its not even his position apparently! Superb. Clyne was excellent too, even when the Arsenal players got in behind, he was back there covering.

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

Thought Liverpool looked very good first half, Gomez, Coutinho and Milner were brilliant. Second half Arsenal looked the better side, though still a bit toothless. Cech amazing though, some wonderful saves.

Very good 0-0 game.

 

[SALTIRE]

That goal doesn't guarantee that you would have won as the game would have panned out differently. You were unlucky not to win, at a stretch, but you're making it sound like you outplayed us while you really didn't.

Anyway, most Liverpool fans would have bitten your hand off for a draw before the game, so it's definitely a good result. West Ham up at home next to hopefully make it 10 from 12 going into United, which is more than anyone could have asked for.

Thought Skrtel was the best player on the pitch. Funnily enough that scare when he almost scored an O.G. was probably his best action of the game. There's literally nothing else he can do to prevent the goal.

Benteke looked quite good even though Firmino didn't get much done. Thought the Can-Milner partnership was really good at times and borderline awful for a few short spells, with some odd positioning and decision making. Looks like a decent midfielder pairing though and I'd be comfortable with them next week. Gomez I thought was at times outstanding, reading the game in a way you'd think he's 10 years older than he is. He's a bit let down by his technique at times but for an 18 year old, he's the best we've had since Sterling when it comes to talented youngsters. Seems to be quite quick as well.

Lucas did well, as did Lovren. Coutinho not so much, but he's allowed to have an off day every now and then.

I wrote in my squad preview that Ibe really hasn't shown much for being branded such a talent and my opinion of him hasn't changed. He keeps making the same mistake over and over and over again, and that is rarely a good sign for a youngster.

Ibe was quiet when he came on and didn't add much to them, I think he should possibly just play in the home games at the moment.

You are correct with the Can-Milner midfield also Bilo, they were good mostly but at other times they were making odd decisions and did give the ball away. Coutinho I thought was again excellent however, he really looks to be the best player Liverpool have, linking up well with everyone, and hit the post twice. I think they'll struggle to keep him at the end of the season, but that is a bit down the line.

I thought the side was pretty well balanced tonight too and I think they played probably the best game I've seen from Liverpool since Spurs away a year ago.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

Good game. We worked hard but didn't do enough to win if we're being honest, so no complaints.

Taking Giroud off constantly when we're chasing a goal is starting to get annoying tho..

 

[danbylfc]

Take a point everyday of the week considering our record away at Arsenal. Shame we couldn't nick a goal when on top on that first half. Thought Ibe was really poor when he came on gave it away everytime he touched it Firmino a must start from here on in.

If at the start of the season you'd offered me 7 points and 3 clean sheets for these first games I'd of snapped your hand off. Forza Liverpool

 

[Mustard]

Good game. We worked hard but didn't do enough to win if we're being honest, so no complaints.

Taking Giroud off constantly when we're chasing a goal is starting to get annoying tho..

I could understand putting Walcott on at the start of the half in order to force them back, but it didn't make any sense in the second half. Liverpool were already pinned back, there was nowhere for Walcott to get in behind and we were finally getting in positions for players to cross into the box...except there was nobody there to head the ball. Baffling.

 

[GodsGift]

Ramsey was offside by his shirt according to Rodgers.

What a pleb.

 

[Mustard]

Ramsey was offside by his shirt according to Rodgers.

What a pleb.

Skin tight shirts as well.

He really is the gift that keeps on giving.

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

Chambers looked very wobbly first half, but thought he got a lot better in the second half (although was that because Liverpool's threat diminished?).

 

[Pagnell]

Looked at the offside decision again, it's very tight. A player's head is deemed to be offside, and as Ramsay is leaning forward in preparation for his run, his head appears to be maybe be a whisker in front of the last man, although I'm looking from a less than ideal angle. I'm not sure if a direct line view is available, perhaps the decision being incorrect is more obvious if there is. It's so close though, I certainly wouldn't have questioned the goal if it had been given.

 

[Nath]

The perfect game to highlight Arsenal's lack of a world class striker? I like Giroud, but too often he misses the easier chances. If that was Benzema tonight, then Arsenal would have won the game.

 

[G-Dragon]

The perfect game to highlight Arsenal's lack of a world class striker? I like Giroud, but too often he misses the easier chances. If that was Benzema tonight, then Arsenal would have won the game.

Not really. Giroud was better than Ozil and Sanchez tonight. Now Walcott...he is a waste.

 

[Avatar]

Frustrated not to win that, but Liverpool were better first half, but to be honest I never felt that we were going to lose that game (despite Arsenal twitter being in meltdown). I think maybe Alexis stayed on too long and we could've won it a few times. Oh well, we are all trying to play catch up to City.

 

[G-Dragon]

Word has it Bellerin is still spinning around.

 

[kopite]

7 points in the bag, I would have snapped your hand off if offered that when fixtures were released.

I'm not getting too carried away with The first half, Arsenal were unlucky to have that goal disallowed and a lot of chances we made was down to a complete reshuffle in their defence. Early in the season and sharpness was lacking so it was frustrating we didn't score.

Second half we lost all momentum and Arsenal were all over us. Defence was well organised but it did help Arsenal were toothless in looking for a goal.

Positives for me...Defence look organised, Joe Gomez looks a player, Coutinho and Benteke linking will and I thought the midfield looked solid with Lucas and Can in there

 

[Stevencc]

Word has it Bellerin is still spinning around.

So is the ball after Cech's fingertips sent it into orbit.

 

[Christian Slater]

Liverpool's defensive game has improved massively, that Gomez looks a real talent.

Obviously Rooney will run riot on them in a fortnight.

 

[smat]

#coldlightofday

Gabriel was good.

We need a ruthless finisher.

Very impressed by Joe Gomez, he looks an excellent find.

 

[Pagnell]

There is little doubt that, with both Gomez and Clyne, we have moved forward defensively from what we had with Johnson and, to a lesser extent, Enrique. It will hopefully make a big difference this season.

 

[JoshBCFC]

I only watched the first half. Cech kept Arsenal in it in the first half, no doubt about it. Arsenal's back line was horrible in the first half, too many silly mistakes by Bellerin and Chambers.

 

[Mustard]

Gomez looked good but we made it easier for him by not playing a right winger for most of the match. Ox caused him problems straight away, when the opposition is playing an 18 year old LB we really should be attacking him more than we did. Full backs want to be pinned next to the CB and playing a CM at RW allowed Gomez to do that, we didn't get down the side of him enough. When we did attack down the right, it was very laboured as Bellerin had to wait for players to move back across the pitch and ahead of him.

I agree on the clinical striker. Still reckon Franny Jeffers could be our fox in the box. I like Giroud but we definitely need another option and I'm unconvinced by Walcott. Annoyingly there isn't many options out there.

I think we should be looking at starting Gabriel in games where the opposition is expected to sit deep. With a defense of Bellerin - Gabriel - Koscielny - Monreal we can afford to have a slightly higher line and squeeze the opposition which is something we have done well in the past. The last time we played Liverpool we put pressure on their CB's and forced them into making mistakes but we didn't do that at all last night. Even though I think Mertesacker has started this season better than Koscielny, it is harder to do that with him in the side. Currently we're creating chances but actually a remarkable amount that aren't clear cut, we need to make it more chaotic or the opposition's defense is able to get settled and looks comfortable.

I also think Monreal was worth a mention last night, he's become a very consistent performer for us.

 

[JoshBCFC]

Gomez looked good but we made it easier for him by not playing a right winger for most of the match. Ox caused him problems straight away, when the opposition is playing an 18 year old LB we really should be attacking him more than we did. Full backs want to be pinned next to the CB and playing a CM at RW allowed Gomez to do that, we didn't get down the side of him enough. When we did attack down the right, it was very laboured as Bellerin had to wait for players to move back across the pitch and ahead of him.

I agree on the clinical striker. Still reckon Franny Jeffers could be our fox in the box. I like Giroud but we definitely need another option and I'm unconvinced by Walcott. Annoyingly there isn't many options out there.

I think we should be looking at starting Gabriel in games where the opposition is expected to sit deep. With a defense of Bellerin - Gabriel - Koscielny - Monreal we can afford to have a slightly higher line and squeeze the opposition which is something we have done well in the past. The last time we played Liverpool we put pressure on their CB's and forced them into making mistakes but we didn't do that at all last night. Even though I think Mertesacker has started this season better than Koscielny, it is harder to do that with him in the side. Currently we're creating chances but actually a remarkable amount that aren't clear cut, we need to make it more chaotic or the opposition's defense is able to get settled and looks comfortable.

I also think Monreal was worth a mention last night, he's become a very consistent performer for us.

Agreed, and also i didn't like how you tried to play long balls to Ozil and Ramsey down the right in the first-half. Both don't have crazy amounts of pace, why bother? I counted 3 failed long passes down the right in the first-half. I think the ox should be starting on the right of the attacking midfield this season, he's a good player who i reckon, given the chance, might break through.

 

[ColB]

We (Liverpool) certainly look much more solid under Rodgers than we have done in previous seasons, although it's still early on and we have had more than a bit of luck over the three games. I know they didn't play last night but I'm still not a fan of the Milner/Henderson combination in the middle as they share a lot of similarities. It will be fine in some games but it does leave a lot of pressure on Coutinho to be the creative force game after game, and despite his obvious quality he still suffers from inconsistency, more so away from Anfield.

 

[Pagnell]

Two similar players in the same lineup isn't necessarily a bad thing. There is no reason Milner and Henderson can't be a success in the same starting 11 if their roles are made clear to them and they stick to it.

 

[Citeh]

Gomez looks like an absolute steal so far. Impressed.

 

[ColB]

Two similar players in the same lineup isn't necessarily a bad thing. There is no reason Milner and Henderson can't be a success in the same starting 11 if their roles are made clear to them and they stick to it.

Ideally I'd like one of the two central midfielders to be a ball winner and be able to tackle. Neither Henderson and Milner can do that well. They'll both give away a lot of fouls that break up attacks but I think both are better going forward than going the other way.

 

[footballpurist1985]

Ideally I'd like one of the two central midfielders to be a ball winner and be able to tackle. Neither Henderson and Milner can do that well. They'll both give away a lot of fouls that break up attacks but I think both are better going forward than going the other way.

Not impressed with Milner in the middle so far, Can is a much better ball player who can take the ball off the defence and feed Coutinho, would like to see Milner on the wing, he's much more suited to play there and get balls in for Benteke and and can chip one with goals as well. Have to agree with you, we do need a strong ball winner in there, someone in the mould of Pogba would be nice, found a good player in Gomez, if only we could find someone similar for DM position

 

[SALTIRE]

Obviously Rooney will run riot on them in a fortnight.

Sturridge is looking to be fit for that game and may likewise do the same with your defense

 

[merseyboyred]

Ramsey was offside by his shirt according to Rodgers.

What a pleb.

Thought it was blatantly obvious he was joking, but there you go.

 

[johnnytodd]

So is the ball after Cech's fingertips sent it into orbit.

Similar to Barkley at Southampton that chance, with one big difference Barkley scored.