Liverpool allowed a two-goal lead pass them by as they drew 2-2 with 10-men Arsenal in the Premier League at Anfield.
Goals from Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz in three first half minutes gave the hosts a 2-0 lead at the halftime break. Despite the commanding advantage, goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino, who was sent off nine minutes later, saw the visitors draw level.
Liverpool thought they had found themselves a late winner in stoppage time, but Andy Robertsons’ effort was quickly ruled out through VAR. Their final two games see them face Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium before a home fixture with Crystal Palace on the day they lift the Premier League trophy. With their league position not changing this season, they only have a high points total to play for. The maximum amount of points they can finish the season with now stands at 89, a total that would be the joint 13th highest in league history.
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Conor Bradley still an uncertainty
After the news came out that Trent Alexander-Arnold was to leave the club, Liverpool manager Arne Slot announced Irish right back Conor Bradley would start the rest of the games this season. He double downed on this during his pre-game interviewed with Sky Sports, stating that Bradley would have started last weekend against Chelsea had he been fully fit.
Today’s performance did nothing to either show he can be the man to fill the Trent void or that Liverpool need to find a new starter at the position. Bradley has done a good job since his breakthrough into the first time.
However, it has been a small sample size in terms of regular playing time as a result of the quality of Trent and Bradley’s poor fitness record. It is hard to really know if he can be the guy to start week in week out. At times, he looked lost against Leicester City a few weeks ago and an opponent with an ounce of Premier League quality would have punished him. Today, he did well in a few duels but failed to convince that he can be the player that all Liverpool fans hope.
The next two games will be a chance for Bradley to stake his claim. Otherwise, the likes of Denzel Dumfries and Jeremie Frimpong, both rumoured to be valued at £26 million and £35 million respectively, could be waiting in the wings.
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Defensive frailties still exist
After Liverpool secured the Premier League title in the 2019/20 season, the rest of their games were played behind closed doors and they looked out of sorts. We are seeing something similar in 2024/25.
Liverpool fans will not care, having finally won a Premier League with fans in the stadium. With only a high points total to play for, they have been poor defensively.
There were signs previously, most notably in a defeat to Fulham, but the last two results have seen plenty of defensive issues. Liverpool will not want this to creep into next season as it did last time they were reigning Premier League champions.
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Liverpool at Anfield are a different beast
The difference in performances at Anfield compared to away from home have been strikingly different. Every team has a home advantage but Liverpool’s seems to be a whole different level. Their last three away games have been against Fulham, Leicester and Chelsea and they have looked poor in all three.
Against Fulham, they took a 1-0 lead but looked poor afterwards, conceding three goals in 20 minutes in a 3-2 loss at Craven Cottage. During their 1-0 win over Leicester at the King Power Stadium, Slot’s men looked leggy and just about sneaked victory. Albeit it was the game that followed their title celebrations, but the Reds looked far off it in one of their worst performances of their season.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have looked far better at Anfield and going forward in particular. Against Tottenham in late April, they produced done of their best performances of the season in a 5-1 win that secured the title. Like today’s game, the Anfield crowd had a part to play, with a deafening sound from the get-go. It was more of the same today and when they found the breakthrough through Cody Gakpo.
Two minutes later and with the Anfield roar still loud after the elation of their opener, the lead was doubled as Luis Díaz turned home a Dominik Szoboszlai pass, showcasing just powerful the home crowd can be.
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The Trent Alexander-Arnold news did not go down well
Going into the game, there were questions as to whether the fans would give Alexander-Arnold a positive or negative reaction. It is safe to say that it was the letter.
Prior to the game, Alexander-Arnold’s name was announced during the team news as one of the substitutes. This was met with a chorus of boos and things did not change when he was brought on. In the 66th minute, he appeared on the pitch to replace Bradley and the boos resurfaced.
In addition, “There’s only one Connor Bradley” was sung in unison by the Anfield faithful, making their feelings clear on the imminent departure of their local lad. Whenever Alexander-Arnold touched the ball, there was a collection of boos, leaving a sour taste in the final pages of his chapter at Liverpool.
Of course, Alexander-Arnold is likely to end his career with a lot more trophies than he would do if he did not swap Liverpool this summer for what seems to be Real Madrid. However, he will just be one of many players to have won a Champions League or La Liga title with Los Blancos. Being part of a Liverpool team that made history, he is going to be lifting the Premier League trophy in front of his own fans in unison with a sea of boos.
