Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal Premier League stats and highlights: Mo Salah nets double in impressive Reds display at Anfield
Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool beat Arsenal 3-1 to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Joel Matip headed Liverpool in front four minutes before the break, rewarding their first-half superiority from a Trent Alexander-Arnold corner.
Liverpool doubled their lead four minutes after the restart when David Luiz grabbed Salah's shirt following a delicious touch from Roberto Firmino.
Salah swept home from the penalty spot and secured Liverpool's third straight victory after 58 minutes.
The Egyptian left Luiz trailing in his wake before bursting into the area and finishing unerringly.
Arsenal's 100 per cent record was well and truly gone, but substitute Lucas Torreira struck a consolation five minutes from time to give the Gunners some cheer.
Highlights
Reaction
Liverpool are now the only Premier League side with a 100 per cent record this season and extended their winning run to 12 league matches.
Jurgen Klopp felt this performance represented a step up, saying: "I was really happy with a lot of parts of the game. I think everything we did well in the first four games we did tonight longer, more precise and better attuned.
"And I loved the desire, the passion, the power, the energy we put into this game that made us really uncomfortable to play against. We have a lot to improve but it was a big step tonight and I'm really happy."
Opta stats
- Liverpool have won 12 consecutive Premier League games, their best-ever winning streak in the competition – it has also equalled their longest winning run in league competition (12 between April-October 1990 under Kenny Dalglish).
- Since Jurgen Klopp took over in October 2015, Liverpool have scored 26 goals in eight Premier League games against Arsenal – the most one side has netted against another in the competition in that period.
- Only Everton at Arsenal (64) have conceded more away goals against a single opponent in the Premier League than Arsenal at Liverpool (62).
- Arsenal have now failed to win any of their last 23 away league games against fellow ‘Big 6’ sides (D8 L15) – during this run they have conceded 53 goals while keeping just one clean sheet.
- Since the start of last season, Arsenal have given away eight Premier League penalties - only Brighton (10) have faced more.
- Liverpool have scored 22 headed goals in the Premier League since the start of last season; seven more than any other side. The Reds have scored three in this campaign already, while no other side has scored more than one.
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has faced Arsenal eight times without defeat in the Premier League (W5 D3) – against no side has he faced more without losing in the English top-flight.
- Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in more Premier League goals against Arsenal than he has any other side (eight; six goals and two assists). He has scored in all four of his home games against them.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold has assisted nine goals in his last 10 appearances at Anfield for Liverpool in all competitions, including assisting once in each of his last five competitive home games.
- Nicolas Pepe has become the first player to successfully dribble past Virgil van Dijk in the Dutch defender's last 50 appearances in the Premier League, since Mikel Merino in March 2018 for Newcastle.
Five things we learned
- Liverpool still a step ahead
Arsenal look to have recruited well and returning to the top four should be their target for the season but, on this showing, anything more looks unlikely. Anfield has been a venue of horrors for the Gunners in recent seasons and they were completely outplayed again here.
- Salah the sorcerer
Sadio Mane has been the main man for goals for Liverpool so far this season but here Salah stole the show. His penalty was struck with supreme confidence while his second goal was the best of the Egyptian, running past defenders and never looking for a moment like he was about to miss.
- Liverpool need Alisson
Adrian may have been the Super Cup hero but Liverpool fans will be counting down the days until Alisson Becker is fit again. After presenting Southampton with a goal last weekend, the Spaniard was shaky here in his handling and kicking and was fortunate not to cost his team again.
- Pepe a handful
Arsenal gave club record signing Nicolas Pepe his full debut and it was impossible to miss the 24-year-old in his shocking pink boots. He caught the eye with his skill, too, giving Virgil Van Dijk one of his more uncomfortable afternoons despite Liverpool's dominance. All that was missing from Pepe was precision in front of goal. He was prolific at Lille so Arsenal will hope that will come.
- The good and the bad of David Luiz
Chelsea fans knew to expect a mixed bag from Luiz and, if this display is anything to go by, the same will be true for Arsenal supporters. He was one of the best players on the pitch in the first half, repelling attack after attack, but a blatant pull on Salah's shirt gave away a penalty and he was then comprehensively beaten by the Egyptian for the third.