![]() There is still an element of surprise that Liverpool are competing for the title with a reconstructed midfield. Most reassuring of all, however, is Van Dijk remains the player he has been since he signed, last season’s dip being an exception due to a variety of circumstances. And in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Salah he has game-changers with a magic wand in their respective right and left boots who will keep Liverpool in contention. ![]() On reflection, he will be more enthused that his side has gone-to-toe with a team a year ahead of Liverpool in its development. ![]() In contrast to Arteta, Klopp sounded down at full-time, the immediate emotion being that two opportunities to make a statement have gone begging, successive draws with Manchester United and Arsenal costing four points. They are to be cherished when they come, because they are usually one in a generation for the lucky club in possession. It was in those tougher moments for Arsenal either side of half time, the Kop at its most raucous first in the immediate aftermath of an equaliser and then when Arteta’s midfielders briefly kept offering festive gifts by losing possession, that Saliba stood firm, ably assisted by Gabriel.Ĭomplete centre-halves are a rarity few have that combination of the physicality and bravery of Tony Adams, speed of Martin Keown and ease in possession of a midfield maestro like Emmanuel Petit. In a game in which the world-class Egyptian still left an indelible mark, it is testimony to how good Saliba was that he ended the evening sharing the accolade with Van Dijk as the most accomplished on show the personification of serenity during those periods when the inferno was raging around him. So comfortably was Salah shrugged off the ball by his new marker, a double take was required to check it really happened. The greatest compliment to Saliba is it turned out to be a mismatch, Arsenal’s centre-back too strong, too quick and too savvy to allow Salah to embarrass him as he has virtually every other defender in England at some point over the last seven years. He opted to switch Mohamed Salah from the right – where he had terrorised Oleksandr Zinchenko for the equaliser – to take on central striker duties. Jürgen Klopp’s only tactical error was one few could have predicted 22 minutes from time. The lesson from history is there lose Saliba, forget staying above Manchester City. He might as well have added Saliba’s name, his absence at a critical juncture in the title run halting the momentum of the previous seven months. ![]() “We were missing players last season,” he said. Mikel Arteta was asked about the difference between his latest Anfield draw and that in April this one being heartening and worthy of celebration while the last was the source of deflation. An Arsenal championship this season would confirm it. The Dutchman’s reconnection with his old self this season means the French defender may have to wait a little longer for the full coronation despite Jamie Carragher’s effusive praise for the 22-year-old on commentary.Įither way, it is only a matter of time before the Arsenal man wears the crown. The lack of six-yard box action is no reflection of the quality, more that the most compelling, unperturbed performances were from those resisting the relentless running and pressing of the attackers.įor the last 12 months, it has appeared Van Dijk has surrendered the title of the Premier League’s most stylish and combative centre-back to Saliba. The concrete foundations of Liverpool and Arsenal’s title bid were writ large in a breathless, brilliant game in which neither goalkeeper felt overworked. If Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba swapped shirts after the full-time whistle at Anfield they will be ready for immediate framing this was an exhibition in world-class defending without breaking sweat.
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