Liverpool

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

Arsenal have become a very unlikeable team. They spent the week before Sunday's game with Liverpool moaning about their horrific injury crisis.

In the end, both teams had two starters out with injuries; Arsenal with Martin Odegaard and Ricardo Calafiori, and Liverpool with Alisson and Diogo Jota. William Saliba's suspension was his own fault, while Liverpool were also without Connor Bradley, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa.

But it is the post-match narrative that has become increasingly frustrating. Arsenal were robbed? They really were not. The refereeing was consistently bad for both sides. Ryan Gravenberch was punished in the second half for kicking a ball into an opponent, with Anthony Taylor falsely believing it was a high boot. Darwin Nunez was reprimanded when Gabriel tried to hold the ball in the corner with 20 minutes left of the game by relentlessly backing into Liverpool's number nine.

And the big moment with the goal ruled out towards the end is just a non-event. It is not a definite foul from Jakub Kiwior in the build-up, but Taylor blows his whistle and half the Liverpool players stop playing, so the fact the goal goes in six or seven seconds afterwards is irrelevant. It would not have gone in if Taylor had not already given the free-kick.

If Arsenal wanted to beat Liverpool and make a statement, they should have tried to play some football at 1-0 and 2-1 up. On both occasions, they sat back, wasted time and looked more like Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid team than any side I have seen in recent years.

They deserved what they got.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

Mike Richards
Fan writer

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Beto's stoppage-time equaliser against Fulham could not hide what was an inadequate performance by Everton at Goodison Park.

The message of "if you can't win, don't lose" is about as positive a spin as I can put on things this week.

It was a far cry from the showing at Portman Road a week earlier and asked more questions than it answered.

There is somewhat of an understanding within the fan base that we are not going to see free-flowing, in-your-face football every single week.

Expectations have rightly been tempered in recent seasons given our much publicised financial issues, amongst many other sideshows.

Despite this, the one-dimensional style of football against average opponents is discouraging to say the least.

People will rightly point out that a change in system resulted in us finding an equaliser and ultimately extending our recent unbeaten run to five matches.

The formation shift occurred out of accident as opposed to design because of an injury to Dwight McNeil, meaning Michael Keane became that utility striker all Evertonians discussed last week.

I do not buy into the notion that this side's sole aim is Premier League survival. It is a lazy narrative that appears to be the joker card played at times.

There is certainly more of a balance to the squad this season. With the additions of Ndiaye, Mangala, Lindstrom et al, there is certainly an added quality to the side as well.

Too often, Dominic Calvert-Lewin finds himself isolated up front. Chasing his own flick-ons or simply surrounded by opposition players, it is a thankless task.

If something is not working, then proactive alterations are needed in game.

There is more to this team than what we are currently seeing. We cannot be fooled into thinking this is as good as it gets.

Find more from Mike Richards at Unholy Trinity, external

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup game against Brighton (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott are not expected to return until after the November international break.

• Conor Bradley is training with the team so could be part of the squad on Wednesday but Alisson and Federico Chiesa remain sidelined.

• He said Chiesa "goes a bit up and down" as he returns to training and then is out again. Slot added: "I don't want to put days or weeks on it because I think we just have to make sure he gets in the best possible shape."

• On the possibility of squad rotation: "We have got some injuries so we don't have enough players to change them all if I had wanted to."

• He said Wataru Endo "might be in the line-up" because "he also needs playing time" in order to remain competitive. Slot added: "Every time we need him, even if it is only for five minutes, he shows up for the team. So for that reason he also deserves to play."

• On opponents Brighton: "I like their playing style a lot. What makes Brighton special, in my opinion, is that they might not have the most money in the league but they always find the right ones. So they have a lot of quality."

• He said "it is a balance the club need to find" when looking at either keeping or loaning out academy players. "In certain situations you would prefer to keep them here with you to train every day but that also means they hardly play and that doesn't lead to progression," Slot added.

Follow all of Tuesday's news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

The i's chief football writer Daniel Storey believes Liverpool manager Arne Slot is successfully "finding players for multiple positions" as the Reds boss looks to rotate his squad with a busy season in mind.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Storey praised the Dutchman's in-game management: "Against Arsenal, he spotted that they were overpowering his side at the top of the pitch, so he brought Curtis Jones a bit deeper and almost made it a three in midfield at half-time.

"He looked for a solution to win that midfield battle, do the basics well and then progress from there.

"But, behind his attacking line, he hasn't got a huge squad. He is going to have to rotate because Liverpool will tire as the season goes on. He will have to keep up with that rotation.

"He seems to be doing it at the moment, by finding players for multiple positions. Jones will play as a six or he will play higher up. Nunez, Jota and Diaz can all play different roles in the forward line.

"Trent [Alexander-Arnold] has spoken about playing in the number 10, centrally in midfield, and sometimes being on the outside or inverted.

"That variation can make you look like a different team. It can make you hard to defend against."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds

On the latest episode of BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton praised Liverpool's squad depth, saying the Reds have "competition in virtually all areas".

Sutton went on to predict Liverpool to be Manchester City's closest title challengers instead of Arsenal.

Listen to the full episode on BBC sounds

Liverpool are considering a move for Nottingham Forest's Brazilian centre-back Murillo, 22, but could face competition from Chelsea. (Teamtalk), external

Liverpool are monitoring Benfica and Turkey midfielder Orkun Kokcu, 23. (Record - in Portuguese), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Guinea-Bissau striker Beto, 26, is considering leaving Everton in search of regular first-team football. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

There was late drama...

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And late drama...

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And late drama...

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Sometimes you just can't escape it.

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There were returns to goalscoring ways...

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And goalscoring partnerships...

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While sometimes the spoils just have to be shared...

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And after a busy day at work, sometimes you just need a lie down.

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Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Arsenal and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Bruno: I think we did OK considering how much was at stake, with regards to keeping up with Manchester City and not having a fully fit squad. Two seasons ago, we would have lost this and we had a poor record against the top six teams. Mikel Arteta has built a solid platform and stability which allows us to compete against good teams like Liverpool.

Andy: I was impressed to see that the absence of key players didn't stop the Arsenal way. We played good football and it was a great game to watch. The referee Anthony Taylor did well and kept it flowing, which feels unusual after recent weeks. The home crowd were excellent.

George: Arsenal fought well with a depleted team. Martinelli was responsible for the second goal and he should have been taken off earlier. He seems frightened to take on big defenders like Ibrahima Konate and he is feather light overall.

John: If you want to win the Premier League and you are 2-1 up at home against a very good Liverpool team, find a way to win the game! Yet again Arsenal seemed to run out of ideas! Achilles heel.

Liverpool fans

Tom: Liverpool should be very pleased with an away point against a tough opponent. There are lots of positives to take, with many of the substitutions having an impact. Momentum is a useful tool in a season and this game will only help the confidence continue to grow.

Alison: We were lucky to get a draw. Gabriel going off was a blessing for us. Our defenders need to look at themselves. Virgil van Dijk isn't beyond criticism - he needs to stop strolling around as if he is on holiday. Ibrahima Konate is our rock in defence.

Barry: I think that is an opportunity lost but, overall, a point away at Arsenal could be pivotal in our season. Konate was outstanding at the back and we showed resilience right up until the end. I think Mikel Arteta will be happier than Arne Slot on this occasion, which speaks volumes for our chances lost, but it is another step towards the title.

Mick: Overall, I am disappointed as we had far too many players off form, we never really had control of the game, and showed no urgency to win after getting an equaliser. That is despite all of Arsenal's injury woes! In short, we got away with one there.

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Everton and Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Andy: A tough watch. We were so passive. We were lucky to take a point really, but our run continues. The goal clearly meant a lot to Beto and I'm pleased for him. Young had another decent game and he showed great skill with the assist. We need to take three points against Southampton now.

Anton: We somehow drew, so that shows good character, but we were so poor. I do love Sean Dyche but he needs to figure out how to play at Goodison Park because it is just not good enough. The derby last season is the blueprint. How we set up to play works very well away, but he needs to find a new way for the home ground. It's a good job the next two matches are away.

Chris: When is Sean Dyche going to learn that with the amount of possession that Everton concede to the opposition, they are not going to win enough games to stay in the Premier League. They are simply not good enough!

Marshall: As a long-time Everton supporter, I live in hope that we will be winning games more often and move up the table. I have to say that I was quite disappointed with our performance. The only saving grace was our effort towards the end and, of course, Beto's great goal! I sometimes wonder how the team prepares during the week, to be honest.

Fulham fans

Simon: A much improved display from last week. We were easily the better team but we simply must learn to concentrate, and defend, for the whole game. With three central defenders on the pitch, giving a free header to Beto in the 94th minute is not good enough. We shouldn't always have to score more than one goal to win games.

Lucas: Disappointing result. Once again we threw it away and it is fair to say that every Fulham fan knew what would happen. It has happened time and time again. The goal was good and I thought Sander Berge was decent. It is just a shame. We need to stop allowing pressure to come on us and playing for the 1-0. Also, how many chances does Pereira need before he gets dropped?

Jim: How can you have so much possession and only one goal? I think Pereira needs to think about his team-mates. We really move well and then it falls apart in front of goal, so perhaps there ought to be some instruction about who is our "target man" and a plan for getting the ball to him.

Philip: The lack of a number nine has been a problem for two years now. We should be a top-six team but we miss so many chances that a good goalscorer would take.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio 5 Live's chief football correspondent John Murray spoke about what we learnt from Arsenal's draw with Liverpool on Sunday: "The question is - after that, are we any wiser about Arsenal and Liverpool's hopes of unseating the champions Manchester City?

"What we do know is that even without Rodri long term, and without Kevin de Bruyne at the moment, and without Kyle Walker, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish on Saturday, Manchester City are the Premier League's only remaining unbeaten team this season and lie one point ahead of Liverpool and five ahead of Arsenal with almost a quarter of the league season played.

"We felt we would know more about Liverpool's credentials after Sunday, but I'm not sure we do. However, the feeling was that after the last international window we would find out more what Arne Slot's team are made of and they've come through a testing run of Chelsea at home, Leipzig away and Arsenal away with two wins and a draw.

"For them though, those tests keep coming match after match with two games against Brighton, then Bayer Leverkusen and Aston Villa, plus Real Madrid and Manchester City not long after that.

"For Arsenal, yes they have been severely hit with absentees in defence and on Sunday they ended up with a back four of Thomas Partey, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior and Myles Lewis-Skelly. None of them are first-choice in those positions, and it was then Liverpool found a way through to make it 2-2.

"There will be an anxious wait now for Mikel Arteta to find the extent of the knee or ankle problem that meant Gabriel could not run and forced him off. What is sure is that Arsenal will have to make do and mend, and with tricky away matches coming at Newcastle and Chelsea, they cannot afford to slip much further behind."

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Arsenal fan Joel Beya and Liverpool supporter Neil Atkinson joined BBC Radio 5 Live to reflect on Sunday's 2-2 draw at the Emirates.

"I'm glad we played well considering all of the injuries," said Gunner Beya. "It was entertaining but we want to be winning our home matches. We had such a brilliant first-half but Liverpool were just too resilient.

"I'm not too happy with the point but I'll take it. You don't win the league or lose it in October so I am happy.

"We just have to stick together and do what we can. This is why we also have players that can play in different positions."

Reds' fan Atkinson added: "I'm happy with the point. It was our hardest game of the season so far, so to go there and come back from behind twice shows we are not going anywhere.

"I am happy for Manchester City and Arsenal fans to keep talking about the title race whilst we take points. We are handily placed at the minute."

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Former Everton winger Theo Walcott has been discussing former team-mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin's contract situation, with the forward's current deal set to run out at the end of the 2024-25 season.

"Sean Dyche wouldn't want to lose someone like Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the club," Walcott said on Match of the Day. "Especially when they are moving into the new stadium.

"He is a player that plays to Everton's strengths, at times, but I do think he needs a partner just to help him out and help his confidence."

Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer added: "I think it is a lonely role that he is asked to play. He is getting a run of games now and there aren't so many injuries for him.

"But his goal record isn't great - one goal in four games. It isn't like he misses a stack of chances, but they do need to play a specific way when they have him available.

"You have to get balls up and into the box because that is where he is a big threat."

Catch up on Match of the Day here

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Former Everton winger Theo Walcott thinks Sean Dyche will be "very relieved" that the Toffees extended their five-game unbeaten run in the Premier League after Beto's 94th minute goal saw them share the points with Fulham.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Walcott said: "They will be very relieved. It was Beto as well, who is putting a lot of pressure on Dominic Calvert-Lewin right now.

"It was fantastic that Everton yet again got the result.

"I felt that Calvert-Lewin was a very isolated figure in this game. Calvin Bassey and Issa Diop, who were tremendous all game, bullied him. They really did. They put him in a position where he found it very difficult to make an impact on the game.

"I think he would have been quite frustrated with his performance. He came off and Beto came on - and he wants to make a point and wants to be in the team, with Calvert-Lewin's contract obviously running down as well.

"Beto was just a bit of a different player for Bassey and Diop to deal with.

"He was putting himself in the right areas and causing Fulham's backline a different problem. He picked up some good positions and there was some relief for him when he did get his goal. It was brilliant to see."

Catch up on Match of the Day here

Paris St-Germain have joined Real Madrid in the race to sign Liverpool's 26-year-old England right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Liverpool, meanwhile, have enquired about RB Salzburg's 22-year-old Bosnia and Herzegovina right-back Amar Dedic, as a potential replacement for Alexander-Arnold. (Caught Offside), external

AC Milan are interested in offering 27-year-old Liverpool and Italy winger Federico Chiesa a route back to Serie A. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column