Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal Live: Firmino and Mane on target for Reds as Welbeck pulls one back ~ arsenal

EXPRESS SPORT brings you all the action from Anfield as Liverpool host Arsenal.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Klavan, Milner, Wijnaldum, Can, Lallana, Coutinho, Mane, Firmino.

Subs: Karius, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Lucas, Origi, Woodburn.

Arsenal XI: Cech,Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Xhaka, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Welbeck, Giroud.

Subs: Ospina, Gibbs, Gabriel, Ramsey, Walcott, Sanchez, Lucas.

Roberto Firmino opens the scoring for Liverpool on nine minutes
Sadio Mane doubles their lead before the break
Danny Welbeck pulls one back for the Gunners on 57 minutes

04.03.2017

17:18

Jamie Anderson

04.03.2017

Is Arsene Wenger right to drop Alexis Sanchez?

Yes, completely (16 votes)

No, what's he playing at? (44 votes)
18:49

Jamie Anderson

61: LIVERPOOL 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Gideon Brooks, at Anfield.

Arsenal, inspired by who else, half time sub Sanchez, have fired life back into this match by grabbing one back. Former United man Danny Welbeck clipping the ball over an advancing Simon Mignolet after being slipped through by the Chilean.

Arsenal have shown more in 10 minutes than they did in 45.... and it has the locals rattled. Why was he not on from the start?
18:50

Jamie Anderson

60: LIVERPOOL 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Jeremy Cross, at Anfield.

The comeback is on and guess what, Sanchez has inspired it. The Chilean has been a menace since coming on at the start of the second half and Liverpool cannot handle him.

His clever pass has played in Danny Welbeck, who has chipped a neat shot over Simon Mignolet to make it 2-1 on 57 minutes.

Considering Welbeck used to play for Manchester United, his strike has gone down like a lead balloon on Merseyside.

Game on now.
18:48

Jamie Anderson

59: LIVERPOOL 2 - 1 ARSENAL

Arsenal got the bit between their teeth. The visitors are pouring forward in search of an equaliser with Alexis Sanchez pulling the strings in midfield. But all this attacking comes at a price. They look a little vulnerable at the back with Coutinho almost restoring Liverpool's two-goal advantage.
18:50

Jamie Anderson

56: LIVERPOOL 2 - 1 ARSENAL - WELBECK

Hello, maybe this isn't over folks!

Alexis Sanchez drives forward before releasing Danny Welbeck, who finishes with a sumptuous dink over the onrushing Simon Mignolet. Very tide finish indeed.

Game on!
18:42

Jamie Anderson

55: LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Jeremy Cross, at Anfield.

Arsene Wenger has been on the smelling salts at half time, come to his senses and sent on Alexis Sanchez. The Gunners immediately look more threatening, too.

Within minutes of the re-start, Olivier Giroud floats a header towards goal that Simon Mignolet does really well to tip onto the crossbar.

Sanchez is a fantastic player, but even he might struggle to turn this around for the visitors though. Considering he's scored 20 goals this season, the general feeling is he should have been on from the start.

Those who think Wenger has lost the plot will be loving this.
18:43

Jamie Anderson
18:38

Jamie Anderson

52: LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 ARSENAL - SAVE

Wow, I reckon this Alexis Sanchez guy should have started... The Chilean whips a wonderful delivery in for Olivier Giroud, who's bullet header is tipped over the bar. A completely different Arsenal has arrived!
18:35

Jamie Anderson

48: LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 ARSENAL

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has slotted into a midfield three as Arsene Wenger changes his tactics. Glenn Hoddle thinks the shift in formation will suit Liverpool, who can hurt them on the break. It's a bloody big gamble folks.

And it almost works instantly with Alexis Sanchez delivering a good cross that Simon Mignolet JUST tips out of Olivier Giroud's reach.
18:32

Jamie Anderson

45: LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 ARSENAL

As expected, Arsene Wenger has made a change. Alexis Sanchez replaces Francis Coquelin. I think we can safely say that was a failed experiment by the Frenchman...
18:31

Jamie Anderson

HT: LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Gideon Brooks, at Anfield.

Half time and Arsenal have some heads to scratch and work to do. Aside from the first 10 minutes and a brief spell after the fist Liverpool goal, they have been outplayed: second to every 50-50, nowhere when the odds have been stacked higher in Liverpool's favour.

For the want of repeating the same words, given a subs bench of Sanchez, Perez, Ramsey, Walcott any combination of three would improve this performance. Liverpool have zipped the ball about nicely and will surely do well to lose this from here.
18:30

Jamie Anderson

HT: LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Jeremy Cross, at Anfield.

Arsenal are an absolute shambles and deserve to be more than 2-0 behind.

Liverpool are winning every loose ball, have more energy and look far more capable of scoring. Arsene Wenger hasn't been off his backside yet. Perhaps he doesn't want to get too close to the action because it isn't great viewing from where he's sat to fair.

Hector Bellerin is the Gunners right back in name only. He's having a shocker. I doubt Bayern Munich have sent scouts to watch this, but if they have they won't have too much to be concerned about ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last 16 game at the Emirates.
18:27

Jamie Anderson

Olivier Giroud has had less touches than any other play on the pitch, including both goalkeepers. It's quite a damning statistic but not really fair. He's isolated. In slightly more positive news, Alexis Sanchez is the only Arsenal player warming up. He's coming on folks!
18:27

Jamie Anderson
18:24

Jamie Anderson

HT: LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 ARSENAL

You knew it wouldn't be long before the 'Wenger Out' banner was cracked out at Anfield. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a few more if Arsenal continue like this...
18:22

Jamie Anderson
18:18

Jamie Anderson

HT: LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 ARSENAL

Grab yer coat Arsene, this could be finished already...

Liverpool take a deserved two-goal lead in at the break, and they might have added to that tally with more clinical finishing.

Lots to ponder for the Frenchman, lots to be happy about for his German counterpart.
18:16

Jamie Anderson
18:14

Jamie Anderson

45: LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 ARSENAL - CHANCE

Blimey. Philippe Coutinho has a golden opportunity to give Liverpool a three-goal advantage when he slips behind the Arsenal defence, but he couldn't control Adam Lallana's lofted pass.
18:16

Jamie Anderson

43: LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Jeremy Cross, at Anfield.

It's been coming - and now Liverpool have doubled their advantage five minutes before half time. Sadio Mane, left in acres of space on the left hand side of the Arsenal box, has drilled a powerful shot past the helpless Petr Cech.

Wenger must be regretting his decision to leave out Alexis Sanchez. But if Sanchez can't get into this side for this game then there is something badly wrong. It's almost like the ultimate insult considering how badly the visitors are playing.
18:16

Jamie Anderson

42: LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Gideon Brooks, at Anfield.

And goal No 2 arrives just short of half time. Brilliant work by James Milner on left flank, he feeds Firmino, who slips the ball to Sadio Mane unmarked on the right and he hammers inside far post. Arsenal are getting carved up here. A 12th of the season in Premier League for the man from Senegal.
18:11

Jamie Anderson

Not much subtlety from Piers Morgan... that's surprising.
18:15

Jamie Anderson

39: LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 ARSENAL - MANE

Arsenal are just sitting ducks here. This could get really messy.

Roberto Firmino finds Sadio Mane in acres of space, and the Senegalese international takes a touch before blasting through a crowd of diving Arsenal bodies.

Can you hear ArsenalFavTV warming up?
18:08

Jamie Anderson

39: LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 ARSENAL

As Owen Hargreaves said: "There's only one team playing at the moment." I'll let you guess which team he's referring to. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain tries to break the monotony with a driving run but Emre Can ushers him out.
18:05

Jamie Anderson

36: LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 ARSENAL

Anfield is fuming. Philippe Coutinho goes down after a challenge from Francis Coquelin, but the replays show he went down far too easily. The Frenchman clearly didn't learn his lesson and receives a booking for tugging Adam Lallana's shirt.

No wonder Arsene Wenger looks angry, his side are showing little fight, imagination or creativity here. It's almost like they're waiting for Liverpool to double their advantage.
18:04

Jamie Anderson
18:03

Jamie Anderson

33: LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Gideon Brooks, at Anfield.

Arsenal have not skipped a beat despite suffering the early reverse and still look like they have a goal or two in them: Oxlade-Chamberlain is getting a bit of joy against James Milner down the right flank and Hector Bellerin tugging manfully at the strings in the middle.

Subs are up keeping warm for both sides including Alexis Sanchez, left on the bench here by Arsene Wenger for "tactical reasons". Whatever they are, he gets a rousing reception from the travelling support when he pops down their end for a quick stretch.
17:59

Jamie Anderson

30: LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 ARSENAL

I spoke too soon, Alexis Sanchez is warming up now and received a huge round of applause from the travelling Arsenal fans. Philippe Coutinho unleashing a rocket from outside the area but Petr Cech manages to get a glove to it. The resulting corner is cleared.
17:56

Jamie Anderson

27: LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 ARSENAL

Things aren't looking good for Olivier Giroud, who's clutching his groin and looking towards the bench. I would say he's certain to be replaced, but the Frenchman does this about 100 times every match - so who knows!?

In other news, Alexis Sanchez has just been spotted laughing and joking on the bench. There's three subs warming up down the touchline but he's NOT one of them. Cue exit rumours...
17:53

Jamie Anderson

24: LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 ARSENAL

Hmmm, not quite sure what to make of this.

There's quite a few people on Twitter claiming that Alexis Sanchez was smirking when Roberto Firmino put Liverpool ahead.

The BT Sport cameras panned to the Chilean sitting on the bench, obviously, and this was his reaction. Can we call that a smirk?
17:52

Jamie Anderson

22: LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 ARSENAL

Owen Hargreaves has said that Arsene Wenger looks shocked because he didn't anticipate on trailing inside the first ten minutes. I'd say it's a worrying sign if the Gunners boss had!

Arsenal have mounted a few attacks in the last few minutes with Granit Xhaka's shot blocked by Joel Matip. That's gonna sting in the morning. A real inside thigh job.
17:48

Jamie Anderson

19: LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 ARSENAL

Analysis from our reporter Gideon Brooks, at Anfield.

That first breakthrough was slightly against the run of play after Liverpool had been pressed back in the opening exchanges, but it hasn't half settled the nerves at Anfield.

It looked for a moment like Roberto Firmino had delayed a little too long over his shot after being picked out by Sadio Mane hovering outside the six yard area on the left hand side, but after steadying himself his powerful shot into the roof of the net could not be stopped by a last ditch block tackle from Shkodran Mustafi.
17:47

Jamie Anderson

18: LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 ARSENAL

Did you know that Liverpool have scored 19 goals in the opening 30 minutes of Premier League games this season. That's five more than any other club. You didn't? Well, now you do.

Philippe Coutinho drills a pass across the six-yard box and Joel Matip decides to attempt a Cruyff finish... it didn't go well.
17:45

Jamie Anderson
17:44

Jamie Anderson

15: LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 ARSENAL

Not sure where this 'Liverpool press' has been in recent weeks, but it's back in emphatic style tonight. Arsenal are being harried for everything and simply don't have the space to work.
17:42

Jamie Anderson

12: LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 ARSENAL

How have Arsenal responded? There's not really been one in all honesty. The positive is that Arsene Wenger's side don't appear too rattled and are sticking to their game-plan.
17:45

Jamie Anderson

9: LIVERPOOL 1 - 0 ARSENAL - FIRMINO

And there's the breakthrough. Just as Arsenal looked to be growing in confidence, Roberto Firmino has dealt them a hammer blow. The Brazilian times his run perfectly to blast home from Sadio Mane's cut-back at the back post.

Plenty of time for the Gunners to respond, but Liverpool thrive with a lead.
17:39

Jamie Anderson

8: LIVERPOOL 0 - 0 ARSENAL

Alexis Sanchez didn't seem too upset with being benched before this evening's game. He's apparently been having a tickle fight with Lucas Perez.
17:36

Jamie Anderson

6: LIVERPOOL 0 - 0 ARSENAL

The Reds are in the ascendancy with James Milner winning an early corner. Arsenal fail to clear the loose ball after five attempts with Petr Cech eventually gathering. The Gunners respond with a corner of their own, but Francis Coquelin can't get a good enough connection to cause Simon Mignolet any problems.
17:33

Jamie Anderson

3: LIVERPOOL 0 - 0 ARSENAL

This is going to be fascinating to see how Arsenal fare without Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil. Liverpool are pressing like maniacs in the early stages, although it's difficult to tell with this camera angle. I think it's stationed on the moon!
17:30

Jamie Anderson

1: LIVERPOOL 0 - 0 ARSENAL

Massive rendition of YNWA rings around Anfield. It's a cauldron right now. We're underway!
17:29

Jamie Anderson

LIVERPOOL v ARSENAL

Not much optimism flying around for either of these sides at the moment. Even the local dogs are being affected by the lack of wins!
17:28

Jamie Anderson
17:27

Jamie Anderson

Jurgen Klopp has an identical record to Brendan Rodgers after 56 Premier League matches… maybe the Celtic boss was a genius after all!
17:26

Jamie Anderson
17:25

Jamie Anderson

LIVERPOOL v ARSENAL

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given his reasons for dropping Alexis Sanchez… can't say they sound too logical.

He said: "We’re going with Giroud and Welbeck up front because we will need to be a bit more direct and strong in the air. Mesut hasn’t travelled because he is ill. He had to stay in London so he is watching from home."
17:22

Jamie Anderson

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

Nothing as dramatic with Jurgen Klopp's selection. He's made one change from their dismal defeat Leicester. Ragnar Klavan replaces Lucas Leiva, who drops to the bench. Must be desperate for the Estonian's quick turn of foot...
17:20

Jamie Anderson

ARSENAL TEAM NEWS

There's only one thing to talk about tonight, and that's the absence of Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean dynamo has been dropped to the bench in a tactical shift from manager Arsene Wenger.

Nacho Monreal, Danny Welbeck, Olivier Giroud and Granit Xhaka are all recalled - Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil also make way.
17:17

Jamie Anderson

LIVERPOOL v ARSENAL

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Klavan, Milner, Wijnaldum, Can, Lallana, Mane, Firmino, Coutinho.

Subs: Karius, Lovren, Moreno, Lucas, Origi, Woodburn, Alexander-Arnold.

Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Mustafi, Koscielny, Monreal, Xhaka, Coquelin, Welbeck, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Giroud.

Subs: Gibbs, Gabriel, Sanchez, Ramsey, Lucas Perez, Ospina, Walcott.

Referee: Robert Madley.
17:15

Jamie Anderson

GOOD EVENING,

Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Premier League.

It's the BIG ONE folks, Liverpool v Arsenal at Anfield.

It's too early to say tonight's result will be critical in the battle for Champions League qualification but a win would be a giant boost.

Anyway, enough preamble - let's get going!

arsenal

Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal Live: Firmino and Mane on target for Reds as Welbeck pulls one back

EXPRESS SPORT brings you all the action from Anfield as Liverpool host Arsenal.

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