Jurgen Klopp reaction to gutsy Liverpool FA Cup win over Arsenal speaks volumes
Jurgen Klopp certainly did not celebrate like a manager who is not interested in the FA Cup.
In fact, Klopp wheeled away in delight, fist pumped and the away end went wild after a third round tie which felt like a snap shot of the whole season. Arsenal started well, missed loads of chances - the whole world can see they need a centre forward - and allowed Liverpool to punish their wastefulness.
It was hardly a classic for a bumper BBC live audience and the TV companies have got unlucky with their picks but at least we got a winner and Arsenal only have themselves to blame that it was not them. Liverpool, meanwhile, are proving that when you are winning a congested fixture list does not matter because you are riding the crest of the wave.
Klopp’s men are top of the Premier League, their winter break is interrupted by a two-legged Carabao Cup semi final and are now into the fourth round of the FA Cup. But if they are tired, then they had forgotten by the final whistle because they were too busy celebrating as the players went to the away end which was still full while the rest of the stadium had emptied out.
And no wonder. Arsenal’s season is in danger of imploding as it is now four games in all competitions without a win, they have lost spot, are out of the FA Cup and a sense of negativity is beginning to creep in. You could even sense a few groans at the final whistle from the remaining home fans who filed out, all saying the same: Sign a striker.
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That was the difference between the teams. Liverpool took the lead through Jakub Kiwior’s own goal from Trent Alexander-Arnold ’s wicked free kick before Luis Diaz gave Arsenal a lesson in finishing with an injury time clincher. Arsenal were wearing an unfamiliar all white kit to support their anti-knife campaign but otherwise the line-up looked familiar apart from Kai Havertz playing as a false nine.
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Liverpool produced a gutsy performance to punish Arsenal (Julian Finney/Getty Images)And the plain truth is that Havertz is a super player, very good technically but there is a reason why he gets cast in the false nine role because he is just not a finisher. Havertz was the worst culprit of missed chances for Arsenal and goals have become a chronic issue for Mikel Arteta.
Gabriel Jesus was injured but has scored just three in the Premier League, Bukayo Saka is top scorer with six and they started Reiss Nelson over Gabriel Martinelli who has dried up. Nelson did do well and hit the side netting early on but Havertz either dawdled and passed up openings, then headed wide from a great chance while Martin Odegaard crashed a shot against the bar.
When Havertz flashed a cross into the Liverpool box and no-one got on the end of it, you just knew that Arsenal were not going to score. Alexander-Arnold had hit the bar in the first half and then grew more influential as he pushed forward and Liverpool began to really threaten on the break.
Jurgen Klopp was visibly delighted after the final whistle (Julian Finney/Getty Images)Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale made a super save from Diaz but the writing is on the wall for any team who misses so many chances. Kiwior looked vulnerable filling in at left-back and was then put through his own net when Alexander-Arnold whipped in a brilliant free kick in the 80th minute.
Arsenal went in search of an equaliser, they obviously could not find one and Liverpool grabbed a second on the break. Diogo Jota played in Diaz who smashed into the top corner. Liverpool now have all the momentum and their season is flying. Arsenal’s is in danger of unravelling at an alarming rate.
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