The desperation was clearly visible to Jürgen Klopp. "I don't know how we couldn't win here," said the Liverpool coach after the furious 2-2 (1-2) win against leaders FC Arsenal. "I can live with the draw because Arsenal were good. But they could have lost the game, they even had to." His team threatens to miss the international competitions as eighth in the table despite the strong performance.
The match between the Reds, who are so disappointing in the Premier League, and the league leaders from North London at Anfield Road offered everything that distinguishes a top game. Great goals, tempo football, a missed penalty by striker Mohamed Salah and missed great chances in injury time. "It was a spectacular game," enthused Klopp.
"I'm not overly happy"
His team showed a strong reaction against long superior guests after the 0:2. Salah (42nd minute) and Robert Firmino (87th) provided the well-deserved equaliser. But there was much more in it: Salah missed a foul penalty at the score of 1:2. In addition, the Liverpool professionals failed again and again at the outstanding Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. "I'm not overly happy, but I can live with it," Klopp said.
Leaders Arsenal, on the other hand, failed to successfully defend their eight-point lead over Manchester City. The team of coach Mikel Arteta has one game more six points ahead of the Cityzens, but still has to travel to the rival in Manchester. "I can live with the point," said Arteta, after Ramsdale had saved several spectacular saves in the closing stages.
An aftermath threatens assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis. Pictures show him elbowing after a war of words with Andrew Robertson and hitting the baffled Scotsman on the chin. The national football player immediately protested to referee Paul Tierney, who showed Robertson the yellow card.
"I didn't see it," said Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. "I have noticed what is supposed to have happened and have also heard that the pictures speak for themselves," said the former Bundesliga coach. Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which is responsible for the English referees, has already announced an investigation.
Meanwhile, Erling Haaland is ready for Bayern. With spectacular goals, the Manchester City star made an impressive comeback after his groin injury for the Champions League cracker against FC Bayern Munich and brings his coach into raptures. "We have had two incredible decades with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Erling is now at this level," said coach Pep Guardiola after the 4-1 win at Southampton. "His abilities are incredible."
With his season goals 29 and 30, the 22-year-old not only demonstrated his quickly regained hunger for goals on Saturday. His remarkable side-kick to make it 3-0 amazed even team-mate Kevin De Bruyne, who gave his 100th goal assist in the Premier League at Southampton. "You won't see such a goal from me," stressed the Belgian, who previously worked in Bremen and Wolfsburg. "If I had done it, I would be in a hospital in Southampton now."
Guardiola was even "overwhelmed" by his striker's 44th competitive goal. The return of the former Dortmunder gives the already in-form English champion even more momentum before the Champions League duel on Tuesday (21:00 in the F.A.Z. live ticker for the Champions League and Prime Video) with the German record champions. "We need him," Guardiola said of his goalkeeper, who played 68 minutes at Southampton. "That's exactly what the bosses brought him in. The first half wasn't our best level, but he changed the game with his goal."
Guardiola therefore compared him with the Portuguese Ronaldo, who also scored goal after goal for his clubs. "They are both machines," explained the 52-year-old. However, Ronaldo and Messi have won numerous titles, including the Champions League several times. "They have dominated for two decades, not just one year," Guardiola said. "But Erling is only 22 and is scoring in the toughest league in the world. What he does is remarkable."