Liverpool will want to sustain their advantage in the championship battle this afternoon as they face Manchester City. A victory would elevate Jürgen Klopp’s team to the top position.
Arsenal currently holds the first position in the Premier League after narrowly defeating Brentford with a 2-1 victory yesterday evening. Liverpool can take comfort in the knowledge that Arsenal will be playing against Manchester City in their next league match (which will take place after the international break). However, there are currently no indications that the competition between the three teams will be reduced to just two in the near future.
Primarily, Liverpool’s main attention is directed towards the run-in, as Jürgen Klopp aims to conclude his tenure with an unparalleled quadruple. The club is currently focusing its remaining attention on matters related to succession. They are close to finalizing a deal to bring back Michael Edwards, who will assume a higher position, with Richard Hughes being appointed as the sporting director beneath him.
There is a limited amount of time available to observe the activities happening at competing clubs. However, Liverpool.com examines the Premier League, observing other changes that may have consequences at Anfield.
Arsenal gains an advantage from a very obvious mistake, while Liverpool can only find amusement in the situation.
Last week, there was a significant amount of contrived controversy and fury when Liverpool gained an advantage via an erroneous restart technique during a drop ball versus Nottingham Forest. After two minutes and several turnovers, the Reds managed to score a decisive goal through a header by Darwin Núñez.
The mention of ‘Klopp’s farewell tour’ was used metaphorically to suggest that Liverpool was receiving preferential treatment, specifically from Paul Tierney. Ridiculous material.
Furthermore, those assertions were rendered even more absurd yesterday, as Arsenal joined the ranks of title contenders who have profited from an unmistakable error. Kai Havertz skillfully evaded a second yellow card for simulation by deliberately falling to the ground without any opposition in the Brentford box, and thereafter proceeded to score the decisive goal.
Similar to the Liverpool incident, this is a situation when VAR was unable to intervene, thus leaving the decision in the hands of the on-field officials. Thomas Frank was really angry:
“It was an unequivocal dive,” stated Frank, as reported by the Guardian. “That action should have resulted in a red card, preventing him from scoring the winning goal.” I believe that Havertz should not have been on the field at the time he scored.
Liverpool.com confirms that Frank’s assessment is accurate: setting aside any personal prejudices, the dive in question was undeniably obvious, a type of simulation that is hardly observed in contemporary times. The incident highlighted a common dissatisfaction with VAR: although it had the power to overturn the decision and suggest a second yellow card instead, it was unable to intervene due to protocol restrictions that prohibit booking decisions.
Arsenal can argue that Brentford had ample opportunity to influence the outcome even after Havertz was fortunate to remain in the game, and that this decision did not directly impact the ultimate victor. However, Arsenal supporters did not rush to emphasize that fact during the match against Liverpool last week.
