Arsenal vs. Liverpool result: Reds move to within one point of Man City after ninth straight win

Kyle Bonn

Sean Markus Clifford

Arsenal vs. Liverpool result: Reds move to within one point of Man City after ninth straight win image

At one point this season Liverpool were 14 points behind Manchester City. After a 2-0 win against Arsenal on Wednesday, that lead is down to a single point with nine matches left in the season and a head-to-head scheduled for April 10.

Arsenal troubled Liverpool throughout the first 45 minutes at The Emirates, with the Gunners midfield in control of proceedings. After the break, however, Arsenal's assertion faded and the gulf between these two in-form teams was clear as Liverpool ground out a 2-0 victory in London.

Diogo Jota, who had a poor match prior and was about to be withdrawn, put Liverpool ahead in the 54th minute with a near-post effort that goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale should have saved. Minutes later, his replacement Roberto Firmino made it 2-0, securing Liverpool's ninth straight win.

The Gunners will rue the game flow, which progressed in their favor through much of the first half. Liverpool’s defense held strong through the onslaught however, and allowed the Reds to bide their time until Arsenal made a mistake.

They did just that, with Ramsdale allowing Firmino’s shot to sneak through his near post. The second goal was a team effort, with Arsenal unable to clear after multiple chances to do so.

Arsenal will be disappointed after the defeat, another reminder that the Gunners are off the pace of the elite Premier League teams. Yet they still remain in control to land the fourth position, and a return to the Champions League is still very much on the cards.

MORE: Liverpool's quest for historic quadruple continues

Arsenal vs. Liverpool final score

  1H 2H Final
Arsenal 0 0 0
Liverpool 0 2 2

Goals:
54th min — LIV — Diogo Jota
62nd min — LIV — Roberto Firmino

(All times Eastern)

Final: Arsenal 0, Liverpool 2

There wasn't much between these two teams in a tough chess match, but Arsenal's mistakes proved the difference. At the end of the day, the Reds covered for their slips, while the Gunners did not.

Ramsdale's failure to cover at the near post looms large, while Thiago's error moments earlier went unpunished. Arsenal can be proud of the performance, but the result still remains a disappointment.

88th min: CHANCE, Arsenal! Arsenal is still searching for a consolation goal, and Xhaka picked out Martinelli whose low effort flashed just inches wide of the far post. The Brazilian has been fantastic most of the match, although he hasn't quite had the same venom since halftime.

Thiago comes off and applauds the traveling fans, with Curtis Jones his replacement.

82nd min: Liverpool has shut up shop and Arsenal cannot find time on the ball. Hard foul by Mane on Thomas Partey, but referee Andre Marriner lets it go without even blowing the whistle.

75th min: A wonderful cross from the right nearly finds the head of Lacazette, but Joel Matip wins a stunningly strong aerial duel to clear. Flag's up anyways, but Matip wouldn't know that. Arsenal continues to push for a goal, but the game feels out of reach.

73rd min: The game has devolved somewhat as the two teams start getting very physical. Mikel Arteta is now, naturally, the one in the fourth official's ear. Don't envy that job.

67th min: Arsenal brings Emile Smith Rowe, the team's leading scorer, onto the pitch. Odegaard makes way.

62nd min: GOAL! Liverpool! The Reds suddenly have this one in hand, and it's the substitute Bobby Firmino. Ramsdale saved the first chance from Salah despite a deflection, but Arsenal never clears. It comes back at the Gunners down the left, and Robertson delivers a slicing cross along the end line to Firmino at the near post for the flick.

54th min: GOAL! Liverpool! Out of nothing, Liverpool leads! A slow buildup, but a through ball from Thiago — who made the mistake just moments ago — unlocked Arsenal and freed Diogo Jota down the left edge of the penalty area, and somehow the Portuguese international strikes from a very tight angle. Ramsdale should have covered his near post better. Poor from Arsenal, and the Gunners trail despite a positive performance thus far.

Jota comes off moments after scoring, alongside Luis Diaz. Salah and Firmino on.

53rd min: A really silly foul by Cedric gives Liverpool a free-kick chance from near the left corner flag, but Ramsdale takes charge of his area and claims the delivery.

Salah and Firmino readying on the touchline. It will be Bobby's first appearance since mid-February due to injury. We all know what the Egyptian is capable of.

51st min: CHANCE, Arsenal! A nearly CALAMITOUS mistake by Liverpool midfielder Thiago, whose back-pass threads Lacazette in perfectly. Alisson has it covered though, and the eventual shot is over the bar. The Spaniard displays his surrender cobra of apology.

Klopp puts five fingers up to the substitutes warming on the touchline, presumably indicating there will be five minutes until he makes a change.

46th min: Back underway for the second half. No substitutions for either side, interestingly. You wonder how long it will take for Jurgen Klopp to shuffle the midfield.

Halftime: Arsenal 0, Liverpool 0

The scoreline is fitting for the chances conceded, which are few and far between. Not for a lack of trying, however.

Liverpool's midfield has been completely overwhelmed by the Arsenal pair of Partey and Xhaka, but the Reds' defense has been up to the task. As a result, there's not much in the game.

It has been an intense affair though, and Gabriel Martinelli stands out as the star man. Down the other end, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane have both struggled mightily. This one's been more about the eye test than about the statistics, of which there are few noteworthy numbers.

45th min: CHANCE, Liverpool! Lacazette pops up at the top of the Liverpool box and takes a healthy whack, but a great tackle by Matip smothers the chance. It springs a Liverpool break for Sadio Mane behind the defense, but a heavy touch allows Gabriel to make a last-ditch contest and Mane's sliding shot flies well over the bar.

37th min: Martinelli scythes down the left and around Alexander-Arnold, but he's shut off by three other Liverpool defenders and the chance is quelled. The Reds are extremely hard to break down, beating one man isn't enough.

Klopp is FURIOUS on the touchline, screaming demonstratively and gesturing wildly. Most of his anger is directed at his own players. Hard to pick out exactly who his ire is aimed for, but Arlo White mentions Henderson and Robertson as two likely targets.

36th min: Sadio Mane has been flying and flailing all over the pitch. Most of the incidents have not resulted in a whistle blown. Jurgen Klopp is in the ear of the fourth official. Still very little goalmouth action, but not for a lack of trying by either side.

29th min: This match has turned into a true chess match. Each team is looking to out-tactic the other. Giveaways, tackles, skill, pressing, and intensity. It hasn't produced much in front of either net, but it's quite entertaining to watch.

23rd min: A long spell of Arsenal possession ends with a Cedric shot from straight on at the top of the box that skitters harmlessly wide and may have been scuffed. Wonder if the wet conditions had anything to do with that.

Arsenal has held 47 percent possession to Liverpool's 53 percent, but it feels like so much more than that. Every challenge draws a heated contest to whichever team the calls go against. This game has a real feel to it. Emirates is rocking, with both sets of supporters making their presence known.

18th min: Liverpool's attack has been spotty at best, as Arsenal has held the majority of possession, able to break through the press. Liverpool launches an attack down the right but there are not enough numbers for it to produce anything dangerous. Mane tripped at the top of the penalty area but no call from the referee, who plays on. Lacazette argues unsuccessfully for simulation, replay shows Gabriel pulled out of the tackle which Mane was anticipating.

15th min: CHANCE, Arsenal! Gabriel Martinelli got around Alexander-Arnold down the left flank all the way on the end line, and he delivered a fabulous cut ball across the face of goal that Alisson can't deal with. It doesn't find an Arsenal attacker and is cleared by Matip, but goodness that was awkward for Liverpool's back line.

14th min: It was generally gross weather out at kickoff, but there was only slight — if any precipitation. No longer. Rain coming down harder now.

9th min: Another good buildup from Arsenal produces a Saka cross from deep that finds Gabriel Martinelli at the far post from a tight angle. The Brazilian's volley is planted straight into the ground, and it's an easy one for Matip to clear. Saka proving dangerous again for the Gunners.

4th min: Brilliant one-touch passing to break the Reds' press by Arsenal, but nothing comes of it as Saka loses possession to Robertson and then Odegaard fouls.

Tim Howard in NBC's pregame show said Arsenal is "the best back-to-front team in the Premier League right now" and expressed dismay at Man City's recent buildup play. That's a hot take if we've ever seen one, but that beautiful combination to weave through Liverpool's press supports Howard's point.

2nd min: Liverpool on the first attack of the match, and earns the game's first corner, and the game's second soon after. Header by Van Dijk is hard and low, and forces a good save from Arsenal 'keeper Aaron Ramsdale.

It's Jota down the middle flanked by Mane and Diaz on the wings for Liverpool. Both those wide attackers like to pinch, as we all know well.

1st min: Kickoff! It's a bit wet and gross in north London, but it's not currently raining at the Emirates.

4:05 p.m.: Both teams come into this match in very good form, but Arsenal has won just one of its last 18 matches against Liverpool across all competitions. Tonight is a chance to break that trend!

3:44 p.m.: A pair of stats that don't bode well for the hosts...

3:25 p.m.: The managers are here!

3:10 p.m.: Lineups are in, and they're exactly what we expected. No Mohamed Salah in the starting lineup for Liverpool as he recovers from a foot injury, but he's available off the bench for the Reds if needed. Arsenal has Emile Smith Rowe on the bench, with an in-form Bukayo Saka and a slumping Gabriel Martinelli both starting.

3:00 p.m.: Arsenal and Liverpool are in excellent form, both on impressive win streaks. Here's an information nugget that adds some more context to just how hot these two teams are:

Arsenal vs. Liverpool lineups

Mikel Arteta has a near full-strength squad to choose from for the crunch clash against Liverpool, however, Takehiro Tomiyasu is unavailable due to calf issues. Cedric Soares continues to deputize at right-back.

Emile Smith-Rowe is fit for selection after recovering from illness, with the 21-year-old again on the bench after making a cameo appearance against Leicester City last weekend. Alexandre Lacazette continues to spearhead the attack, in good form after his goalscoring exploits last time out. 

Arsenal starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Ramsdale (GK) — Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tierney — Xhaka, Partey — Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli — Lacazette.

Arsenal subs (9): Leno (GK), Holding, Tavares, Swanon, Lokonga, Elneny, Pepe, Smith Rowe, Nkeitah.

Meanwhile, the visitors have to contend with a minor foot injury to Mohamed Salah, which was sustained away to Brighton in their 2-0 win. The Egyptian is unable to start, but is available off the bench if needed. 

James Milner and Kostas Tsimikas miss out for the Reds, with both players suffering from illness. In more positive news, Ibrahima Konate has recovered from a knock that has seen the Frenchman miss his side's last two games and makes the bench. Thiago Alcântara comes in for Naby Keta in midfield, with the latter dropping to the bench.

Liverpool starting lineup (4-3-3): Alisson (GK) — Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson —  Henderson, Thiago, Fabinho — Mane, Jota, Diaz. 

Liverpool subs (9): Kelleher (GK), Konate, Keita, Firmino, Salah, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Minamino.

How to watch Arsenal vs. Liverpool

  • Date: Wednesday, Mar. 16
  • Time: 4:15 p.m. ET
  • USA TV channel: Peacock
  • Canada streaming: DAZN

All the action live from the Emirates will be available to watch on NBC streaming platform Peacock in the USA.

The Premier League is exclusively available to be streamed live and on demand via DAZN in Canada. 

Arsenal vs. Liverpool betting odds

All odds courtesy of DraftKings

Both sides have players capable of delivering on the big stage, setting up the prospect of an encounter that could see its fair share of goals. 

It is hard to separate the pair on recent form, however. Liverpool would have to go into the match as slight favorites when taking the league table into account and that's what the odds say.

  • Moneyline: Arsenal (+295) / Draw (+275) / Liverpool (-110)
  • Spread: Arsenal +0.5 (-105) / Liverpool -0.5 (-110)
  • Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over (-140) / Under (+115)
  • Both Teams to Score: Yes (-175) / No (+135)

Kyle Bonn

Kyle Bonn Photo

Kyle Bonn, is a Syracuse University broadcast journalism graduate with over a decade of experience covering soccer globally. Kyle specializes in soccer tactics and betting, with a degree in data analytics. Kyle also does TV broadcasts for Wake Forest soccer, and has had previous stops with NBC Soccer and IMG College. When not covering the game, he has long enjoyed loyalty to the New York Giants, Yankees, and Fulham. Kyle enjoys playing racquetball and video games when not watching or covering sports.

Sean Markus Clifford