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Peter Byrne
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Liverpool v Arsenal, Premier League

Liverpool took on Arsenal, in what was a big game in the race for a top-four spot.

Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Kick of is at 5.30pm.

We’re underway…

Positive start by Liverpool.

Milner’s cross deflects off Oxlade-Chamberlain for a corner.

Arsenal look very disciplined right now.

They are sticking bodies behind the ball, and their lineup suggests they are trying to make themselves difficult to beat rather than the more customary adventurous style they tend to adopt in the big games.

LIVERPOOL 1-0 ARSENAL (FIRMINO 9)

Liverpool break and Mane crosses to Firmino, who blasts the ball home.

Their excellent record against the other top-six teams could be set to continue.

Arsenal are comfortably second best right now.

The Gunners are struggling to deal with the tempo being set by Liverpool.

More potentially bad news for Arsenal.

Olivier Giroud looks to be struggling and could come off.

Arsenal have been very direct and uninspired going forward.

The midfield of Xhaka and Coquelin is predictably short of creativity.

Meanwhile, Sanchez is already warming up.

The ball falls to Coutinho on the edge of the box and his powerful shot forces Cech to make a good save.

A second Liverpool goal is looking inevitable right now.

Coquelin concedes possession cheaply, allowing Liverpool to break swiftly through Mane.

Arsenal ultimately manage to clear, but the hosts are looking very dangerous on the counter-attack at the moment.

Coquelin gets booked for pulling back Lallana.

Liverpool have looked much sharper and more inventive than their opponents in this first half.

LIVERPOOL 2-0 ARSENAL (MANE 40)

2-0 and it’s no more than Liverpool have deserved.

Firmino plays a clever pass to an unmarked Mane, who drills the ball home.

Arsenal have given a typically toothless display in this first half.

Lallana’s through pass deflects into the path of Coutinho, whose finish is tame and straight at Cech.

That was an excellent chance to end this game beyond all doubt.

Lallana plays the ball in to Coutinho, whose powerful shot deflects off target.

Liverpool’s attackers have looked so bright and lively, in stark contrast with their ineffectual display at Leicester on Monday.

HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 2-0 ARSENAL

So half-time and it’s been a interesting opening 45 minutes.

Arsenal’s display has been tame even by their usual standards. The Gunners have offered almost nothing in attack and have consistently look vulnerable at the back, particularly on the counter-attack.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have been excellent, with Mane, Firmino, Lallana and Coutinho all influential.

Arsenal have afforded the space that’s allowed Liverpool’s attack to thrive, in stark contrast with their display on Monday, when they simply couldn’t break down a resolute Leicester backline.

The second half is underway…

Unsurprisingly, Alexis Sanchez is on in place of Coquelin.

Arsenal could do with an early goal if they are to salvage anything from this game.

Sanchez plays a great cross in, with Migolet making a good save from Giroud’s header.

The Chile international’s influence is already being felt.

Arsenal have looked better in this second half, with Sanchez making a difference.

As I type though, Liverpool break and Coutinho wins a corner as he tries to cross.

LIVERPOOL 2-1 ARSENAL (WELBECK 57)

Arsenal have looked better since half-time and they are well and truly back in this game now.

Sanchez provides the assist, allowing Welbeck to finish beautifully by chipping the ball over Mignolet.

Sanchez’s influence has been so strong in this second half that it makes you question why he didn’t start.

He clearly turns this Arsenal team into a much better side.

Clyne finds himself in a good attacking position down the right but his shot is well off target.

You get the feeling that there are more goals in this game, with both sides looking dangerous in their opponents’ final third.

Liverpool do not look look in anyway secure right now.

Klopp’s side continue to appear unconvincing at the back and will probably need another goal to win this match.

Lucas Perez and Theo Walcott replace Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud as Arsenal go in search of an equaliser.

They have roughly 20 minutes to make an impact.

Coutinho plays an inviting free kick in, but Matip’s header is weak and Cech saves it comfortably.

Arsenal continue to look very shaky whenever Liverpool go forward.

Oxlade-Chamberlain plays in a free kick to Mustafi, who heads over and is offside anyway.

Meanwhile, Liverpool make a change, as Origi comes on for Coutinho.

Origi gets the ball in a promising position. He holds it up and wins the free kick, after Mustafi tugs his shirt.

Good play from the young striker.

So close!

Origi’s header from the subsequent free kick in comes off the post.

Liverpool v Arsenal - Premier League - Anfield Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech (left) makes a save. Peter Byrne Peter Byrne

Lallana does well to prevent Perez getting a clean header on into the box cross.

Meanwhile, Liverpool continue to pose a threat down the other end as they refuse to shut up shop.

Mane gets man-of-the-match from BT Sports’ Owen Hargreaves.

He’s certainly been a big threat at times tonight, and was involved in both his side’s goals.

Lucas is coming on for Liverpool.

Meanwhile, there will be three minutes of stoppage time.

CHANCE! Eoghan O’Gara fires a close-range shot out over the sideline. A brilliant Dublin move with a fantastic line-break from Brian Fenton set-up that chance, but O’Gara’s radar was off.

LIVERPOOL 3-1 ARSENAL (WIJNALDUM 90)

Liverpool break again and this time, they punish Arsenal.

Origi’s cross is inch-perfect and Wijnaldum makes no mistake with the finish.

Dublin 1-2 Mayo 0-2

19 mins – Cillian O’Connor goes close to finding the net at the far end before he slots over the 45.

FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 3-1 ARSENAL 

Right, that’s all from me. Thanks for reading and commenting.

We’ll have more reaction to follow.

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