Liverpool despair as ever-dependable duo Alisson and Virgil van Dijk gift Arsenal goal in title race slip-up
Liverpool’s title hopes took a potentially crucial blow in a 3-1 defeat, and it was down to two of their most trusted stalwarts.
With the score 1-1 against Arsenal and the Reds starting the second half well, a hopeful ball over the top caused all sorts of trouble.
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Virgil van Dijk allowed the ball to bounce, and then tried to block the run of Gabriel Martinelli for Alisson Becker to sweep up.
However, the opposite happened in a scene of complete malfunction, and the ball ended up straight at the feet of Martinelli to slot into an open goal.
Debate raged over who was at fault, with former Chelsea and Arsenal defender Scott Minto placing the blame squarely at the feet of the goalkeeper.
"The ball was played over and Van Dijk has got there first, but Alisson is coming out," the marvelbet369.commentator said.
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"Alisson has to take control of the situation, he's completely ran past the ball.
"From a defender's point of view you want the keeper to take control of the situation, shout to get out of the way, in the end Alisson has done nothing and Van Dijk's out of the game.
"Martinelli will never score an easier goal in his career."
The goal proved crucial after Liverpool somehow came away level from a terrible opening 45.
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Bukayo Saka opened the scoring 14 minutes in before Gabriel Magalhaes turned a Luis Diaz pass into his own net.
Martinelli then scored the decisive goal, before Leandro Trossard followed up an Ibrahima Konate red card by scoring through Alisson's legs in a forgettable evening for the Brazilian.
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