Liverpool defeat at Arsenal FC
Slapstick goal sends Klopp on the losing track
The way is clear for Manchester City to go top of the Premier League table: Liverpool FC stumbles in the top match at Arsenal FC, with goals ranging from bizarre to spectacular. Manchester United scores an important victory, while a former Bundesliga professional scores three times against Chelsea FC.
Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC have suffered a severe setback in the English Premier League title race. The league leaders lost the top match at Arsenal FC 1:3 (1:1) and are now only two points ahead of the Gunners, who have at least temporarily climbed to second place.
Arsenal were clearly superior to Klopp's team until shortly before half-time. Despite good chances, the Gunners were unable to achieve more than a 1-0 lead through England striker Bukayo Saka (14th minute). Before that, national player Kai Havertz had been denied by Liverpool keeper Alisson. The equalizer came completely unexpectedly shortly before half-time: Luis Diaz played the ball to Arsenal defender Gabriel's hand in the penalty area. From there, the ball rolled into the net to make it 1-1 (45th+3).
After the break, the match was more open. Then a major misunderstanding between goalkeeper Alisson and defensive leader Virgil van Dijk, who cleared each other out of the way and flew past the ball, helped the hosts: Gabriel Martinelli only had to push the ball into the empty net to regain the lead (67').
In the closing stages, Liverpool not only had to accept a yellow-red card for former Bundesliga professional Ibrahima Konaté (88th minute) after a foul on Havertz, but also the decision. Leandro Trossard (90th+2) scored the 3-1 goal, which was Klopp's team's second defeat of the season.
Victory for Man United, defeat for Chelsea
Defending champion Manchester City can play on Monday (9pm/Sky) With a win at Brentford FC, they can regain second place from Arsenal and move within two points of Liverpool. The Citizens also have another game in hand against the team of German team manager Klopp, who will step down at the end of the season.
Liverpool's eternal rival Manchester United, meanwhile, celebrated its second victory in a row. The English record champions won 3-0 (1-0) against West Ham United and jumped to sixth place in the table. After goals from Alejandro Garnacho (49th/84th) and Rasmus Höjlund (23rd), the Red Devils moved past their opponents.
Chelsea FC, on the other hand, lost 2:4 (1:2) against Wolverhampton Wanderers and continues to fall far short of their own expectations. Former Hertha and Leipzig professional Matheus Cunha scored three times for the visitors. Cole Palmer had put the Blues in the lead (19th minute), then Cunha (22nd minute) struck for the Wolves, then Rayan Ait Nouri (43rd minute). After the break, Cunha was sent off (63rd minute) and scored from the penalty spot (82nd minute). Thiago Silva's goal (86th minute) was just cosmetic. With 31 points, Chelsea are only eleventh in the table.
In the relegation battle, AFC Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 (1-1), the early lead of former Leipzig player Justin Kluivert (5th) was countered by former Leverkusen loan player Callum Hudson-Odoi (45th) for Forest shortly before half-time.
