Arsenal 0-3 Liverpool: Diogo Jota scores twice in Premier League win

Liverpool thrust themselves right back into the battle for the Premier League’s top four as they outclassed abject Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

The only surprise was that it took dominant Liverpool so long to make their superiority count.

They got the breakthrough they deserved after 64 minutes when Diogo Jota headed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brilliant delivery past Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno three minutes after he replaced Andy Robertson.

It was not only the decisive moment of the contest but also a timely reminder of the quality Alexander-Arnold possesses at a time when England manager Gareth Southgate feels he can do without him, despite Euro 2020 being on the horizon.

Liverpool doubled their lead four minutes later when Mohamed Salah took advantage of poor defending by Arsenal’s Gabriel and then slid a cool finish through Leno’s legs.

Jota was the beneficiary of more good work from Alexander-Arnold when he slammed home his second from close range with eight minutes left – by then, the game had already become a formality.

Alexander-Arnold makes his point

England manager Southgate’s exclusion of Alexander-Arnold for the opening World Cup qualifiers shocked Klopp – and the defender’s performance in north London showed why.

Southgate currently prefers Manchester City’s Kyle Walker and Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier, believing Alexander-Arnold needs to improve his club form to merit inclusion amid a relatively indifferent season for the Premier League champions.

Klopp is clearly satisfied with Alexander-Arnold, though, and that is hardly surprising when he showed what a threat he offers as Liverpool overpowered Arsenal.

He showcased his world-class delivery for Jota’s opener then demonstrated his energy and awareness to steal back possession high up the pitch in the build-up to the prolific Portugal forward’s second goal.

It was a display that responded to Southgate’s decision in the perfect manner and suggested England must have serious quality at right-back if Alexander-Arnold is in serious danger of missing Euro 2020.

Liverpool and Klopp had a hugely satisfying night all round. Brazil’s Fabinho gave a masterclass in the midfield anchor role, demonstrating what they missed when he was deputising in central defence to cover for injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

Klopp’s side may be in a miserable run of six successive home defeats but their away form is sustaining them and this comfortable three points, on the back of the previous victory at Wolves, gives them real hope of Champions League qualification.

With a Champions League quarter-final first leg away to Real Madrid on Tuesday, Liverpool suddenly look like a team with renewed purpose and momentum.

Lacklustre Arsenal get what they deserve

The only positive about this Arsenal performance was the fact they kept Liverpool out for 64 minutes – although that was down more to the Premier League champions’ lack of cutting edge up than especially good work by the Gunners.

The hosts were dreadful and fortunate not to be beaten far more heavily. This was miserable stuff from Arsenal.

The only work Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, complete with extravagant new moustache, had to do all night was clutch a straightforward shot from substitute Cedric Soares in the second half.

Yes, Arsenal lost influential left-back Kieran Tierney right on half-time but that was no excuse for what Mikel Arteta’s side served up. They offered no punch in attack, no fight in midfield and were eventually overwhelmed in defence.

Arsenal saved themselves by coming from three goals down to earn a point in their last league game at West Ham but there was never the slightest hope of a comeback against Liverpool.

They sit in ninth place, four points adrift of Everton having played two games more, and much now rests on their Europa League quarter-final against Slavia Prague.

They will have to produce much better than they did here, their night summed up by the anonymous performance of main striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who spent much of his game as an auxiliary left-back before being substituted.

What’s next?

Liverpool play the away leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday (20:00 BST) before hosting Aston Villa in the Premier League next Saturday (15:00).

Arsenal’s Europa League home leg against Slavia Prague takes place on Thursday (20:00), after which they visit Sheffield United in the Premier League on Sunday (19:00).