Liverpool produced a dazzling attacking display to destroy Arsenal as Arsene Wenger’s side were humiliated at Anfield. Wenger surprisingly chose to leave out summer signing Alexandre Lacazette, and the £52.6m striker could only look on as every one of the Gunners’ old, familiar failings were brutally exposed by Liverpool’s pace, movement and sheer desire. Roberto Firmino headed in Joe Gomez’s cross to give Liverpool a 17th-minute lead to start an attacking blitz that ended in a final scoreline that actually flattered Arsenal.
Sadio Mane curled in Liverpool’s second before Mohamed Salah ran half the length of the field on the break to stroke home the third after 57 minutes. The fact that the goal came from an Arsenal corner merely emphasised the shambolic nature of their display, which lacked organisation, commitment and passion. Arsenal – who have now lost two of their first three league games – were overrun and showed no stomach for the fight. Liverpool substitute Daniel Sturridge gave the scoreline a more realistic appearance when he headed home the fourth at the far post from Salah’s cross 13 minutes from the end. Wenger insists Alexis Sanchez, who made his first appearance of the season, will not be sold before Thursday’s transfer deadline – but that is unlikely to stop Manchester City making one final attempt to prise the Chilean away from Emirates Stadium.
Sanchez has shown no inclination to sign a new contract at Arsenal so Wenger’s decision means the Gunners now risk losing an asset worth at least £50m for nothing at the end of this season. The brutal question after Arsenal’s ambitions were laid bare once more is: what is there on offer in terms of serious success that would keep him at Arsenal? Liverpool looked light years ahead of Arsenal as potential title contenders, and with no Champions League football, there was very little that was appetising enough to tempt Sanchez to stay. Sanchez was even denied the assistance of Lacazette, who was reduced to the role of substitute while Arsenal were subjected to the sort of hammering they have received at Anfield on a couple of occasions in recent seasons. It is now a question of whether Arsenal stick or twist in the next few days – and whether a huge offer from City might just be tempting.
In a further irony, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who looks certain to leave Arsenal before the transfer deadline, was warmly applauded by Liverpool’s fans when he was substituted, clearly in the hope he could be tempted to Anfield rather than Chelsea. Lacazette – who came on for the final 28 minutes – was probably best being kept out of this one, as Arsenal were swept aside by a red tidal wave of attacks. But it is a mystery why Wenger would spend big money on a player then leave him out for such a vital game. Arsenal’s other summer signing, defender Sead Kolasinac, the man who was supposedly going to beef up a soft side, was also excluded on a chastening day that left Wenger facing familiar and painful questions.