Virgil Van Dick

By AM Tuesday, February 6, 2024

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Peter Anderson ⚽ Gary Neville called Sunday's big match "the start of the title race."

And it certainly felt like it. Liverpool travelled to Arsenal knowing that a win would see them 8 points clear of the Gunners. This would effectively reduce the title race to a two-horsed variety, as only City could challenge Liverpool.

It was a must-win for Arsenal and they got the three points reasonably comfortably following a shit show from Liverpool's captain. Last season, Virgil Van Dijk had a poor campaign by his standards, but so far this one he has been back to his outstanding best. But that all changed on Sunday as he was at fault for all three of Arsenal's goals.

He was caught out of position for the first, failed to deal with a long ball for the second and, most bizarrely, he failed to close down and block the shot for the third. With Salah and Szoboszlai injured, a poor match from their iconic captain was not what the doctor ordered.

It was always going to be a battle for midfield domination and Arsenal won that one easily. Jones, MacAllister and Gravenberch were no match for Odegaard, Big Deccy and the excellent Jorginho.

While Arsenal were the better team and deserved the three points, Klopp will not panic. He has been here before with Dortmund and Liverpool. This was only their second league defeat of the campaign.

They are still top of the league and their next three league games are against Burnley, Brentford and Forest. An ideal run to get the juggernaut back on the road. The crucial period could be the middle of March. City travel to Liverpool and then host Arsenal 2 weeks later.

After the City game, Liverpool go to Goodison. Twists and turns await.

As for Arsenal, the doubts still remain. They aren't playing as well as last season and the lack of a 20 goal striker is a major cause for concern. The way they bottled last season's title charge is fresh in the memory and I think they are the least likely of the three to take the title.

Arguably, the biggest winners on Sunday were City. If City win their two games in hand, they will be top of the league. The big question is whether or not they can go on yet another end-of-season winning streak like they have done on so many previous seasons. With Klopp leaving at the end of the season and City facing possible relegation next season for "crimes" against the footballing establishment, both sets of players are facing an "end of an era" scenario. 

So, which set of players possess the most motivation? Will Liverpool falter, or will City suffer from "win fatigue" given last season's heroics? It is going to be fascinating, no doubt. And I am glad that, for now, Arsenal are still in the reckoning.

Peter Anderson is a Unionist with a keen interest in sports