'The best in the league': Gary Neville says Liverpool did something absolutely brilliantly against Arsenal today
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Liverpool did not show their best selves during a tricky first-half against Arsenal at Anfield.
The Reds have been very hit and miss during their opening two matches of the Premier League season, and did not turn in anything much better against last season’s runners-up.
Arsenal are always a tough side to play against, but Liverpool appeared to be giving a little too much respect to Mikel Arteta’s side at a slightly subdued Anfield.
The Gunners certainly had the better of the first-half, as they rained set-pieces down on Liverpool.
Arsenal have become known as a team of specialists from corner kicks, but despite having five during a tense first-half, they could not make any count.
According to Gary Neville, watching on for Sky Sports, this was not a coincidence.
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Liverpool seemed happy enough to let Arsenal have the ball during the first-half at Anfield.
The Gunners are not generally a side who will hurt you too much with a fast break, and Liverpool seemingly knew that well enough.
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Nevertheless, it is never wise to give up too many set-pieces against them.
This was something the Reds did not heed, allowing five corners in front of the Kop.
But having seen Liverpool successfully defend each of them, Neville praised the solidity shown by the home side.
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“I think Liverpool are doing really well in this first 40 minutes, they’re still the best in this league on corners.
They’re being really aggressive,” said the Man United legend.
“It’s not just Van Dijk and Konate, the players on the penalty spot are doing a really good job of protecting and blocking.”
As well as highlighting how well Liverpool were doing from defending set-pieces, Neville also noticed that at times they were facing them in a rather ‘strange’ way.
Plenty of attention was put on the Reds’ decision to push high and allow Newcastle’s second goal of the game on Monday night, but otherwise they have been sitting noticeably deep on free-kicks this season.
That was the case again on Sunday, with Neville admitting it was an unusual sight to see at Anfield.
“This is strange for me from Liverpool,” he said, as Liverpool lined up close to their six-yard box during an Arsenal free-kick.