The Premier League champions got a guard of honour by their vanquished challengers, however an action-packed afternoon at Anfield didn’t fairly follow the script.
Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
Premier League (36) | Anfield
Could 11, 2025
Objectives: Gakpo 20 ‘, Diaz 21’; Martinelli 47 ′, Merino 70 ‘
Purple card: Merino 79′
1. Bradley takes the torch
The passing is full, it’s been handed over. There was no added strain on the younger Northern Irishman this weekend as a result of, let’s face it, everybody knew this example was coming.
As Trent Alexander-Arnold strolled into Arne Slot‘s workplace in March and made clear his wishes to attempt one thing new, the seed had been planted within the minds of the teaching workers and, most significantly – Bradley, that the time for succession was ripe.
Alexander-Arnold departing for pastures Spanish doesn’t require instant hyperbole relating to the talents of Bradley – everyone knows how good this lad is, regardless that he’s a moderately contrasting footballer to the proprietor of the No. 66 shirt.
Bradley seemed calm, composed and eager to hold out Slot’s directions to a tee. He pressed when requested, dipped inside to supply a midfield pivot and searched hungrily for the overlapping ball down the channel.
At occasions he struggled with timing the runs of Leandro Trossard, however importantly managed to maintain composing himself and regrouping; was afforded an enormous chant from the Kop after departing for Trent’s arrival, which stoked the fires of controversy good and correct.
The children are alright, because the previous adage goes, and Liverpool are lucky to have this chap within the ranks.
2. Trent’s emotional swansong blows up
Effectively… that was fairly one thing wasn’t it. Trent’s introduction from the bench noticed the soon-to-be defecting star booed at Anfield by his personal, as Steven Gerrard‘s iconic tune rang out on the Kop. The tone was instantly set, and it was like one thing we’ve by no means seen earlier than inside this well-known previous floor.
It turned clear this week that the membership had a particular sport plan when it got here to publicly confirming Alexander-Arnold’s want to go away Anfield, and the numerous media publications that have been to comply with on the Liverpool channels.
Discuss from inside the membership has since confirmed that there’s a concerted effort from administration to make sure Trent departs with little hostility, and solely well-wishes.
This is sensible, whatever the diploma of your frustration in direction of the free-agent exit – but when Trent and the membership have been hoping to drum up the emotion in the course of the lengthy farewell, they have been fairly mistaken. It has completely not gone to plan.
The proper-back took to the touchline within the first half to heat up, solely to be solely ignored by the stands. The celebration environment inside Anfield boomed on and the outgoing asset wasn’t even an afterthought.
After which, the pitch greeting itself – it’s one thing Trent won’t ever wish to look again upon and one thing that can divide sections of the fan base.
Liverpool will all the time love their very own whereas they put on the purple shirt, however within the minds of many Trent is already a Actual Madrid participant – and it actually isn’t fairly. It wasn’t supposed to finish like this.
3. Anfield celebration rumbles on… however turns bitter
The dance ground was by no means cleared, the doorways by no means swung shut. Anfield bounced from the primary whistle, because the plenty arrived as soon as once more decked out in purple.
The frenetic first 45 saved the decibels cranked excessive, as Liverpool bagged two objectives in fast succession and rocked the weary guests, contemporary off the again of their Champions League exit.
Chants rained down onto the pitch, pumping up Slot’s males as they sliced by means of the Gunners at will, from ‘The place’s your European Cup’ to ‘Greatest crew in Europe, you’re having amusing’.
Nevertheless, the turning of the tides within the second half, courtesy of Gabriel Martinelli’s early strike and the introduction of a sure Liverpool substitute thereafter, noticed issues go awry.
Quantity remained excessive in and round L4, with loads of vocal digs made on the away finish. However an air of bitterness and frustration had crept in; maybe this wasn’t the match to introduce Trent as an affect sub.
4. Konate reveals his price
Ibrahima Konate has been the quiet powerhouse of the Liverpool defence this season, and his efficiency right here was one more reminder to Richard Hughes and Co. {that a} head begin completely must be made on arranging a brand new contract.
Actual Madrid – they by no means let up, do they? – are rumoured to be anticipating the prospect of taking him on a free within the close to future, together with French giants PSG. Liverpool can not permit this to occur.
The large Frenchman was imperious, and showcased his skills with a stellar second within the first half when carrying the ball all the size of the sector, puncturing the Arsenal ranks and nearly establishing a aim with a threaded ball to Salah.
William Saliba will nonetheless now be questioning how he didn’t get on the rating sheet, as Konate in some way blocked his effort off the road with a split-second header. With Van Dijk dedicated on new phrases, his fellow cornerstone should now be kindly persuaded to do likewise.
5. Slot tastes the brand new problem
It’s been a whirlwind debut season for the Liverpool supervisor, and although Slot can have adored having the ability to tackle Arsenal at Anfield having already secured the title, this match served up an emotional boiling pot of issues to contemplate.
As the brand new Kop rendition of the long-lasting Dutch nationwide crew tune rang out for Slot, the Reds boss noticed a galvanised Arsenal coming again at his males, whereas disorientating boos rang out from the stands. It may well’t have been straightforward to play underneath, and Slot has now seen the blunt emotion of the Liverpool devoted in full move, for higher or worse.
The eagerness cranked up proceedings and seemingly spilled out onto the pitch as Mikel Merino was proven a purple card, however as the sport wore on Slot can have sensed a glimpse of issues to return.
If Liverpool are to try to fiercely defend their crown subsequent season, as many count on and hope they are going to, Arsenal will seemingly be the crew within the opposing nook once more.
Arteta is now in very harmful territory because the perennial nearly-man, or ‘all the time the bridesmaid’ as one sharp banner on the Kop taunted. That has to alter, and Arsenal will spend large this summer time as a part of what might be a last Hail Mary to get Arteta over the road.
Slot has confronted Arsenal within the driving seat and, now, he’ll be plotting for the sieges of assault that sit on the instant horizon.
