Liverpool and Arsenal played out a great match in the Premier League yesterday at Anfield, though both teams’ managers Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta were disappointed to come away with just one point. Both teams have been fantastic this season and are actively battling for the league trophy this season.
Gabriel Magalhães of Arsenal found the back of the net in a swift 4 minutes, only for Mohamed Salah to level the score in the 29th minute. The remainder of the game proceeded without further events, though there were a few controversial decisions. However, Jurgen Klopp did have a few words for Arteta after the game.
Jurgen Klopp expresses discontent with Arteta’s Arsenal
The draw may have been disappointing for both sides, but Arsenal and Mikel Arteta will be happy as they end up as Premier League leaders, one point ahead of Liverpool. Despite Klopp having grounds for dispute over an alleged handball on Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard and possible penalty, he admitted that the opposition team were very good throughout the game.
In an interview with BBC Sport after the game, he complimented Arteta and his team for a strong display, “Oh my god, how strong are they? The good news is we are good as well.” However, he also admitted that Liverpool should have beaten Arsenal, with 20 minutes of domination where he described the Gunners as having been ‘shaky’.
Klopp hugs Arteta at full time and told him “Wow Wow Wow” pic.twitter.com/gUCEC4WuVk
— SalibaDinho 🌞 (@Wabaliba2) December 23, 2023
He said, “Arsenal are really exceptional, but for those 20 minutes we had them we shattered them slightly. We felt that they were shaky and we should have used that.”
After the game, Klopp went to shake hands with Arteta, and said three words to him ‘wow, wow, wow’. This was to describe the great game both sides produced and him acknowledging the resurgence of Arsenal under Arteta. However, Klopp was still frustrated with the result as it meant them going one place behind, and with all the factors.
Jurgen Klopp hails Declan Rice after the game
Liverpool may have grabbed the win, if not for one reason to the disappointment of Jurgen Klopp. Declan Rice was the reason as he helped Arsenal’s midfield keep possession and helped the Gunners for the majority of the game. He was everywhere for them, and may be disappointed in his teammates for letting him down.
Klopp had to touch Declan Rice to confirm if he is indeed human or a robot!
— вkσmík (@bkomun) December 24, 2023
We are the Gunners!!! pic.twitter.com/6GyUZJ5cBm
Rice also had a great pass completion rate with 88 per cent of all passes completed. He also had the most clearances in the game and a good amount of tackles. Rice in particular also helped Arsenal from conceding a very funny goal. At one point in the game, Liverpool were in a 5v1 situation. And they would have scored it as well, with Rice being the lone man who forced Trent Alexander Arnold to miss the goal.
Following the match, Klopp walked out onto the field to hug Rice, going so far as to whisper something to him. The German appears to be quite impressed by the Englishman’s display. He might have desired to have a comparable player on his team too.
Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp will enjoy a short Christmas break before their Boxing Day encounter against Burnley on 26 December.
