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Five talking points as impressive Liverpool come from behind to see off Arsenal


Liverpool kept up their 100 per cent record and joined Leicester and rivals Everton as the only teams with three wins from three in the Premier League so far.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have come unstuck against Arsenal twice in recent months but overcame an early Alexandre Lacazette goal to run out 3-1 winners at Anfield.

The Frenchman took advantage of an Andy Robertson error to open the scoring in front of an empty Kop.

Arsenal’s lead lasted just 147 seconds though as Sadio Mane tapped in to level proceedings and Robertson atoned for his earlier mishap by giving the hosts the lead.

And Diogo Jota came off the bench to seal the win with a dream debut goal late on.

Alexandre Lacazette pounced on a mistake by Andy Robertson to give Arsenal the lead

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It was richly deserved in a game dominated by the defending Premier League champions who should have won by more than a one-goal margin.

Here are five talking points from Liverpool’s impressive showing on Merseyside.

Scintillating Reds

In their opening two games Liverpool have been questioned, more so against Leeds than Chelsea, but they were a class above Arsenal on Merseyside.

In the first-half they were dominant and deserved to go in ahead and somehow they didn’t add to their lead in the second 45.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was hugely impressive with some excellent deliveries and both Mane and Mo Salah were at their best.

Liverpool had almost twice the possession of their opponents and had four times as many shots.

Sadio Mane equalised just minutes later

All this without star signing Thiago, who was set to build on his impressive debut cameo before injury intervened.

Mane a lucky boy?

Last week the Liverpool star grabbed both goals in a 2-0 win at Chelsea that showed all of his best qualities.

Mane personifies Klopp’s side – energetic, aggressive, clinical. On Monday night though the 28-year-old perhaps went in a little too aggressive on Kieran Tierney in the opening minutes.

The forward mis-controlled the ball and looked to make amends, and also leave a mark, but he led with his arm which bought about an angry reaction from the Arsenal players.

He was handed a yellow card before scoring the equaliser. A red admittedly would’ve been harsh, but they have been given.

Robertson made up for his earlier error to give his side the lead

Lacazette staking claim

Lacazette spoke about last season at Arsenal being his toughest yet with injuries and a lack of involvement affecting him.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s role as Arsenal’s main man has often meant the Frenchman has had to adapt around the 31-year-old.

But Lacazette’s strike at Anfield was his third in the opening three games of the season. That is a feat not performed by even Aubameyang. Olivier Giroud was the last man to do so six years ago.

The former Lyon man’s role in a three-man attack with Aubameyang one side and Willian the other means we could finally see the best of him.

Costly Liverpool

Liverpool’s front three get most of the plaudits and rightly so, but the cornerstone of their recent success has been their defence.

Diogo Jota came off the bench to score on his debut

This season though there are worrying signs with mistakes occurring far more regularly than we are accustomed to.

In the season opener Virgil van Dijk reminded us that he is indeed human with an error.

And Arsenal’s opener owed to a mis-kick from Robertson and Alisson should really have done better with the scuffed finish.

The Reds’ devastating attack can often cover up for defensive lapses – as was again the case tonight – but in the opening three games Liverpool have made two direct errors leading to goals. Food for thought.

It is now three wins out of three in the Premier League for Jurgen Klopp’s side

Arteta’s surprise choice

Many of us thought David Luiz may be on his way out of north London this summer having made one too many clangers.

But the Brazilian was given the nod over his compatriot Gabriel, the man who cost north of £20m in the summer.

It underlines Arteta’s cautiousness with embedding new recruits, especially in defence.

Gabriel had started Arsenal’s opening two games while Luiz was yet to appear, but for the Gunners most daunting trip of the season thus far the veteran got the nod.

Arteta said: “David [Luiz] has huge experience and has played here many, many times. He gives us something different.”

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