Christmas schedule opens, the Premier League to see the first battle.
In the 18th round of the 2023/24 season, Liverpool will take on Gunners Arsenal at Anfield. The latest Premier League table, Arsenal 39 points ranked first, Liverpool 38 points ranked second, a difference of 1 point, was rendered by the British media for nearly half a month.
I don't know how many times the Premier League has won the title this season... Familiar recipe, but with a different taste.
As the defending champion Manchester City this week to Saudi Arabia to participate in the World Club Cup, Christmas schedule is empty, so at Anfield staged this first place battle, for this season's Premier League title battle trend, has a very important impact. The results are three:
If Arsenal win, consolidate first place and extend their lead in the table, a first Premier League title in 20 years will become clear. If Liverpool win, they will regain the top spot and gain a huge psychological advantage, and winning the Premier League trophy is not a dream; If the two teams draw, the ranking will remain unchanged, but it will leave Manchester City with a chance to narrow the gap, and the title race will be heated again.
Of the three results, a draw is undoubtedly the most desirable outcome for the media and fans. Of course, it is also the most anticipated result in the Premier League. Pre-match predictions, almost uniformly that the two sides can shake hands and make peace, in such a "peaceful" atmosphere, the Red Army and the gunners opened the position.
Before 10 times to visit Anfield, the gunners 3 draw 7 difficult to win, scored 12 goals but lost 34 goals, the record is really pull the hip, but the identity of the leader to visit, it is a second word direct hand.
Opening only 1 point, Saca broke into the penalty area to draw, Alisson struggled to save, Jesus shot was blocked, is due to the dock. However, the Gunners' goal did not wait too long - in the fourth minute, the Gunners got a free kick in front of the opportunity, Erdegaard's pass accurately found the hole in the Red Army defense, Gabriel under the cover of Haverz, the head beat Alisson's ten points.
The Gunners' confidence comes from the increasingly good midfield trio - Erdegaard, Haverts and Rice. Erdegaard is responsible for the delivery and passing, Haverts provides coverage and confrontation, and Rice serves as a barrier and support. The combination of the three makes up for their respective weaknesses, to achieve mutual perfection, but also for the side of Sacca and Martinelli to create more room to operate.
Therefore, the gunners do have the capital to compete for the Premier League title, with the experience of last season's failure to learn, after the success of the waist, obviously more calm, more resilient.
The Gunners' midfield was completely subdued and the Reds' counter-attacking attack hardly posed a real threat. However, Erdegaard's falling volleyball in the 25th minute penalty area, no problem with the handball foul, but skipped the referee's eye, VAR did not intervene...
After another "eternal injustice", the Red Army soon woke up from the state of excitement and anger - since the midfield pressure is but, then I don't want to. As a result, Salah's side cut inside, once again became the Red Army's main attack means of attack.
Red Army equaliser, in fact, too bull. In the 29th minute, Salah broke into the penalty area after receiving Arnold's pass, cut through the dazed Zinchenko, and kicked the equaliser.
After returning to the same starting line, the two sides are locked in a tussle. In the 32nd minute, Saca knocked over Tsimikas and tackled Klopp to the ground, becoming the biggest hot spot outside the goal of the first half.
In the second half, both sides played more open, and every offensive and defensive transition had the feeling of killing each other. In the 72nd minute, the Red Army finally waited for the long-awaited opportunity - the gunners corner attack failed, Salah broke the ball and ran with the ball, Arnold, Nunez, Elliott, Grafenberger ran forward like a hundred meters sprint, and blocked them, only a desperate Rice.
At this time, Anfield has been full of excitement, only to wait for the ball into the net moment into the victory of the cheer. However, Salah accurately distributed the ball, the slowest running Arnold Xiti excellent pass, but one kick the ball against the woodwork...
bang draw Manchester City, who just mentioned the World Club Cup championship trophy, smiled; The Premier League, smiling in silence...
