Liverpool FC crest
Liverpool FC

Firmino (9)
Mane (39)
Wijnaldum (90)

FT
3 - 1
Premier League
17:30 Sat 4th Mar 2017
Location: Anfield
Arsenal crest
Arsenal

Welbeck (57)

17:30 Sat 4th Mar 2017
17:30 Sat 4th Mar 2017 Anfield

Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal: Matchday blog

Our matchday blog covered all of the build-up, team news, action, in-game stats, reaction and much more as Liverpool defeated Arsenal in the Premier League at Anfield.

  • Firmino and Mane put Liverpool two up at the break
  • Welbeck pulled one back for the Gunners just before hour
  • Wijnaldum grabbed Reds' third in stoppage-time to make points safe

Klopp: "The performance tonight should not be a surprise because the boys have played like this a few times already."

Klopp: "We know we have to keep on going - and we will."

Klopp: "I said to the boys before the game we are the rollercoaster of the league with a lot of ups and a few downs. Only if you're silly you'll let have the bad things have more influence on you than the good things."

Klopp: "We needed Simon and a little bit of luck in this moment [in the second half] but then we controlled the game again."

Klopp: "We needed Simon and a little bit of luck in this moment [in the second half] but then we controlled the game again."

Klopp: "We played really good, really good, creating wonderful chances. We only scored two times in the first half, but could have scored more."

Klopp: "We were absolutely spot on from the first second of the game and we played a wonderful first half."

Match shot

The boss celebrates Wijnaldum's crucial third.

Here's how that win has impacted Liverpool's position in the Premier League table...

The tale of Liverpool's 3-1 win over Arsenal in Opta stats and widgets...

Full Time

It's all over at Anfield and Liverpool secure an impressive 3-1 victory over Arsenal to significantly bolster their top-four hopes.

First-half goals from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane gave the Reds a healthy advantage at the break, but the Gunners threatened by Danny Welbeck pulled one back just before the hour.

However, Gini Wijnaldum's stoppage-time effort made certain of three points for Jürgen Klopp's side, who move up to third in the Premier League table.

92

Goal

GOAL! GINI WIJNALDUM!

Liverpool get a crucial third goal and ensure they'll be picking up a crucial victory.

Lallana holds the ball up in midfield before spraying it down the right with the outside of his boot for Origi to run onto. The striker looks up and sees Wijnaldum's lung-busting run into the area before picking it out with a ball across the box.

The Dutchman does the rest, gleefully side-footing beyond Cech and wrapping up the win.

Get in!

87

Perez finds space for a shot just inside the Reds' box, but he's thwarted by Klavan's challenge.

83

Close!

Origi meets Milner's free-kick with a towering header...which crashes against the base of the post and away from goal. So unlucky for the striker.

79

Substitution

Divock Origi is on for Philippe Coutinho.

78

Yellow Card

Granit Xhaka sees yellow.

76

Coutinho's free-kick from the right finds Matip in the middle, but he can't adjust himself properly to meet the ball and his eventual contact is gathered by Cech.

74

Substitution

Double Arsenal change - Walcott and Perez on, Welbeck and Giroud off.

74

Coutinho emerges from a crowd of bodies on the edge of the area with the ball before smacking it over the bar.

68

Yellow Card

Booking for Emre Can after a nudge on Alexis Sanchez.

65

Clyne bounds into the Arsenal area after more great work from Mane before shooting over the bar when well positioned.

59

Exquisite again from Liverpool to open up their visitors and Mane feeds Coutinho in the box. His attempted low cross is cleared inside the six-yard box by Mustafi on the slide.

57

Goal

Goal for Arsenal - Danny Welbeck

Arsenal cut Liverpool's lead in half as they spring a counter, which ends with Sanchez sliding a pass through for Welbeck, who beats Mignolet to it and lofts it over him and into the net. 2-1 at Anfield now.

54

Coutinho whacks a free-kick into an Arsenal wall and Wijnaldum's follow-up is an easy take for Cech.

49

Sublime skill from Firmino sees him spin into space inside the box, but his attempted drive is crowded out by recovering Arsenal defenders.

47

What a save!

Simon Mignolet somehow keeps out Giroud's free header from eight yards out by pushing it onto the crossbar and collecting the loose ball. A stunning stop from the 'keeper.

46

Substitution

Arsenal have made a change during the break and Alexis Sanchez is on for Francis Coquelin.

46

Kick-Off

Second half

We're back under way at Anfield as Liverpool kick us off.

Here's the story of the first half in numbers...

46

Half Time

So far, so good for Liverpool as strikes from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane have given them a 2-0 lead over Arsenal at the break.

44

Match shot

Goal number 12 of the season for Sadio Mane.

44

Close!

It should be 3-0 as Lallana's attempt from range is blocked by a defender, but loops into the path of Coutinho inside the area. He shoots straight at Cech, however.

39

Goal

GOAL! SADIO MANE!

Liverpool have the second goal they so thoroughly deserve - and top scorer Sadio Mane gets in on the act.

A fine move involving Milner and Wijnaldum opens up Arsenal, before the latter nudges the ball to Firmino inside the area. The whole of Anfield expects him to shoot, but instead he rolls it square to the unmarked Mane, who takes a touch before drilling beyond Cech.

35

Yellow Card

Coquelin is booked for a foul on Lallana inside the centre circle.

34

Coutinho megs Mustafi on the edge of the box before going to ground under Coquelin's challenge, but no free-kick is awarded.

32

Liverpool burst forward again at speed after winning the ball back. This time, Coutinho has an effort blocked by Coquelin inside the area.

30

Xhaka latches onto Matip's half clearance before striking high into the Kop, with Mignolet never worried.

28

Coutinho cracks one towards the top corner with his left foot on the edge of the area...tipped over by Cech.

24

Mane prods the ball through for Firmino to run clear on Cech's goal. The Brazilian is flagged offside, but it's marginal. 

21

Giroud and Mignolet challenge for Oxlade-Chamberlain's lofted ball to the back post. The 'keeper gets a touch and it's behind for an Arsenal corner.

14

Match shot

Roberto Firmino celebrates his early opening goal for Liverpool.

9

Goal

GOAL! ROBERTO FIRMINO!

Liverpool have an early lead at Anfield and it's come via the right boot of Roberto Firmino.

A ball forward is headed into the path of Lallana by Coutinho and play is quickly switched wide to Mane. His low ball across the face of goal finds Firmino at the back post, who takes a touch before hammering into the roof of the net.

Get in!

4

Bellerin's cross from the right is headed behind by Matip at the back post.

2

Corner

Liverpool force an early corner, but can't make it count as Arsenal twice clear their lines.

Kick-Off

We're under way

Here we go, then. Arsenal kick the game off at Anfield. Come on you Reds!

Pre-match

The teams are out, You'll Never Walk Alone is being sung, and we're moments away from kick-off...

Pre-match

Remember, if you can't watch today's game you can listen to free live commentary here on Liverpoolfc.com by clicking here.

Here's a reminder of today's line-ups...

Pre-match

And a look inside the dressing room (complete with floating programme!)

Pre-match

Klopp and the lads arrive...

Pre-match

Here's the full Liverpool line-up: Mignolet, Clyne, Matip, Klavan, Milner, Can, Wijnaldum, Lallana, Coutinho, Mane, Firmino.

Substitutes: Karius, Lovren, Moreno, Alexander-Arnold, Origi, Woodburn, Lucas.

Pre-match

TEAM NEWS

One change for the Reds this afternoon as Ragnar Klavan replaces Lucas Leiva in the centre of defence.

Dejan Lovren is fit enough to take a place among the substitutes.

Pre-match

Coming to Anfield today? Why not take advantage of a special offer in the official club store.

You can get 20 per cent off all kits and training wear - but you'll need to hurry as the deal expires on March 12.

Click here for more info.

Pre-match

Anfield is ready

Pre-match

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong

The #LFCWORLD viewing party is getting under way at Champs Bar in Hong Kong, with our legends taking part in a pre-match Q&A for supporters.

Should be some atmosphere over there!

Pre-match

Victory for young Reds

One good result is already in the bag for Liverpool today, with the U18s 2-0 winners over Manchester City at the Academy. Click here to read our match report.

Pre-match

Here is the schedule of fixtures in the Premier League this weekend and a reminder of how the table shapes up before the latest round of games gets under way...

Pre-match

'Give me a 1-0 over a goal fest'

Simon Mignolet has been part of some of the sensational contests between the Reds and Arsenal in recent years, and the goalkeeper has enjoyed them too.

He'd much rather preside over a more straightforward success for his team today, however.

"They're always pretty good [games] against a good side, but let's hope and try to get a victory again at Anfield. It doesn't need to be as spectacular as it was in the other recent games [with Arsenal] – the only thing we want is the three points!"

Pre-match

Weather

"Where's the weather update?"

I'm sure that's a question most regular followers of our matchday blog have been asking - and now is the time to fulfil your requests.

It's a bright beginning to the day in Liverpool, with temperatures currently hovering around nine degrees and with the potential to climb slightly in the hours ahead.

By kick-off, there'll be a cooler feel around, though, so take the usual precautions to keep warm if you're heading to Anfield this evening.

Pre-match

Inside Training

Take a behind-the-scenes look at how Liverpool have been preparing for today's game with our exclusive footage from Thursday's session at Melwood on LFCTV GO...

Pre-match

Behind the Badge: Alex Manninger

Here's a timely piece to enjoy ahead of this evening's game. Once a fresh-faced young stopper at Arsenal, now a wise head passing on advice with Liverpool - plus years of experience in between - and Alex Manninger spoke to us about the Gunners, Arsene Wenger, his role with the Reds and much more.

Click here to read the interview.

Pre-match

What are the odds?

Here are the latest match prices from our partner BetVictor...

Liverpool - 11/10
Draw - 13/5
Arsenal - 27/10

Click here if you fancy a flutter.

Pre-match

LFCTV GO subscribers can watch the whole of Klopp's pre-match press conference on demand...

Pre-match

Positivity from the boss...

Pre-match

Best wishes to The King

A big game and a big birthday today - the incomparable Kenny Dalglish celebrates his 66th.

Test your knowledge of the LFC icon in our special quiz here.

Pre-match

Here's a sneak peek at today's official matchday programme cover...

Pre-match

Stat attack

How about this from resident fact machine Ged Rea?

Six Liverpool players have appeared for the first team this season who were born after Arsene Wenger was appointed Gunners manager in October 1996. They are: Joe Gomez, Ovie Ejaria, Sheyi Ojo, Ben Woodburn, Harry Wilson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Pre-match

Team news

So, what do we know with regards to selection options for Jürgen Klopp?

The manager provided a squad fitness update at his pre-match press conference on Friday, confirming the following...

  • Decision to be made on Dejan Lovren after the defender returned to training from a knee injury
  • The game is too soon for Jordan Henderson as he recovers from a foot issue
  • Daniel Sturridge will be unavailable, too, having sustained a hip strain
Pre-match

10 of the best...

Clashes at Anfield in the Premier League era, meanwhile, have been punctuated by some iconic Liverpool moments. An historic Robbie Fowler hat-trick, a 'perfect' treble by Peter Crouch, an unforgettable winner from Neil Mellor and the early blitz of February 2014.

Enjoy them all in our free clip...

Pre-match

The last meeting...

The small matter of a trip to Emirates Stadium marked the opening weekend of the season for Liverpool, who rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion to claim a 4-3 victory in north London.

Somehow, we managed to condense the August thriller into 90 seconds on LFCTV GO...

Pre-match

Pore over all of the stats from each side's Premier League season so far, with facts and figures for the teams as a whole and individual players available below...

2016-17 2016-17

Pre-match

Welcome...

A huge game awaits at Anfield this evening and we'll be here to keep you updated throughout the day, with Liverpool set to host top-four rivals Arsenal.

The Reds need a response after defeat earlier in the week, while recent meetings between these sides suggest goals can be expected under the floodlights.

Stay right here for extensive build-up to the match, confirmed team news, live updates during the 90 minutes, photos, stats and reaction from the stadium.