What happened in second half spoke volumes about Liverpool and Mikel Arteta's ambition

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Mikel Arteta, manager of Arsenal, reacts during his side's 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield(Image: Alex Pantling/Getty Imagess)

How much do you want it?

And Anfield witnessed exactly why during a tense, occasionally turgid encounter that perhaps underlined why Liverpool and not Arsenal went into the game as reigning Premier League champions.

The Reds’ big-money squad overhaul this summer has rightly captured the attention.



But with a net spend of more than £250million so far in the transfer window – including midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who turned down Liverpool last year – Arsenal are going big in their attempt to better three successive second-place Premier League finishes.

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This was a first real test of their respective strengths.

While both had won their opening two games, it was the Reds over whom questions have rightly been asked after struggling to convince, particularly defensively.

And as Arne Slot’s remoulded side demonstrated during a nervy, toothless opening half, they understandably remain very much a work in progress and, to an extent, were there for the taking.

But Arsenal, even allowing for the fact Bukayo Saka was absent injured and Martin Odegaard fit enough only for the bench, didn’t sense it, sticking to Mikel Arteta’s gameplan to contain and look for their traditional danger at set-pieces.

By contrast, Liverpool knew what they had to do after the interval.

The intensity increased, the pressure gradually growing on the Arsenal backline.

Hardly a barrage, but enough for Anfield to sense there was a game to be won, the home support notably raising the volume levels midway through the half in response.

Liverpool remain interested in a deal for the Swede.

Meanwhile, Marc Guehi has been a player of interest all summer and Liverpool could still launch a last-minute deal for the Crystal Palace defender.

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A third successive late winner underlined that while Liverpool are by no means hitting the heights, they are still finding ways to win.