Neil Atkinson’s post-match rating for The Anfield Wrap after Arsenal 0 Liverpool 2 in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium …
WELL then.
It was a point they were 14 in a row. But you know they were never 14 behind.
There was a point where it felt like they were throwing away too many cheap points. But you thought they might click into the store.
It was the idea that it could become a procession. But you suspect they would never stand for it.
Well then.
They are the heroes you always wanted. They are the heroes you have always needed. Whatever happens (because well; well then) they do for me.
My favorite thing is she knows how to suffer. They believe in suffering. They believe it is difficult. They believe in the notion that you are taking a step forward at the same time.
Today I was in line four. Row four through the wind, through the rain. Swallow with heavy drops from the Emirates roof. Swallowed by the wind that blows the rain.
In front of me, right in front, I saw Andy Robertson take a step back after a while. He won it with aggression and precision. He saw. He saw a breath and a glance. He chose Roberto Firmino. Through the wind and rain, he sees his steps with confidence and desire and sees Liverpool win the match because of these steps.
Make no mistake, Roberto Firmino still had work to do. The flick was one thing, the fire another. It reminded me of Kenny in London 78. The goal and the fire all as one sweet, sweet movement. The grace of elsewhere, the joy for us all.
Give me this before my very eyes. Give me this through dry lenses. Give it to me, because this league will not win itself and as you know I have always, always. I promised you. I told you it could be there.
For the full 90s, Robertson was impeccable. Nobody wanted to win the football league anymore. His expectation in all phases of the game is a credit to him and his manager. He is the brightest of football players. He understands both game and competition. He wins his battles in every way they can be won. He is man of the match and man of the hour.
Diogo Jota was the scorer. It belonged to him the second half and that included his sluggishness in a moment and his excellence in all the others. Jota’s simplicity at the conclusion makes it all the more incredible that he continues to do so. He hit it hard and low and surprised Ramsdale. The ball leaves his foot and finds the net immediately.
The whole game is first and foremost a fixing of cutting edges. Liverpool have it and when it’s blood in their bones in the rain, Arsenal just are not quite there.
But secondly, it is a confirmation of the brilliance of Liverpool’s central defenders. Second half I was really impressed with Ben White. He played really, really well. He was the third best center on the field.
And that’s the truth about Arsenal at the moment. Thomas Partey was excellent. He was the second best deep midfielder. Kieran Tierney did little wrong. He was the second best left back. Ramsdale has shown the breadth of his ability. Alisson Becker is clearly better and that’s good.
One of the reasons why this league is so lively is that Arsenal are the fourth best team in the country and man for man are not as good as Liverpool. And they are good.
Well then.
The hard part has not even begun yet. Crampon by crampon Liverpool climbed the mountain. They came to the hard part. The league will not win itself. It will take some winning. But I like the look of our boys. I like the gleam in her eyes.
Whatever happens, they do it for me. They, their managers, they exist in a state of grace. Grace with crooked teeth, Grace with a gleam in the eye, but grace nonetheless.
They can win this league and I think they will win this league, but whatever happens from here, they do it for me.
I will not be moved.
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You can not say better than that! Are we going to win the league? Well that’s a hell of a sign that they are! This is a massive game and the Reds have just ticked it off!
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