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ROBERTO FIRMINO and Sadio Mane struck to down Arsenal after Alexis Sanchez was dropped.

The Chilean winger came on after the break with his side already two goals down and set up Danny Welbeck.

Georginio Wijnaldum seals victory in the dying stages after a lighting counter
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Georginio Wijnaldum seals victory in the dying stages after a lighting counterCredit: Reuters

But Liverpool held on to record a key victory as they fight to keep pace with the top four.

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Firmino slammed the Reds in front after some superb build-up play involving Philippe Countinho.

And Mane added a second to give Jurgen Klopp's side a 2-0 half-time lead.

Arsenal replied through Welbeck's chip but Georginio Wijnaldum sealed the win after a lighting counter-attack.

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FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS

    • Arsene Wenger claimed he kept top goalscorer Alexis Sanchez on the bench so he could play more direct football. Replacement Olivier Giroud hardly had a kick for the entire first half but almost pulled one back after Sanchez came on at the break.
    • Philippe Coutinho is a huge player for Liverpool - his header in the build-up to Firmino's opener was majestic and his movement had Arsenal chasing shadows all night.
    • Neither of these teams like to defend. There were 16 goals in last three games before this one. Unfortunately defences win titles.
    • Liverpool have scored 19 goals in the opening 30 minutes of Premier League games this season- five more than their nearest rival.
Wijnaldum's goal came after Joel Matip put in a brilliant block to prevent Alexis Sanchez from levelling for the Gunners
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Wijnaldum's goal came after Joel Matip put in a brilliant block to prevent Alexis Sanchez from levelling for the GunnersCredit: PA:Press Association
Sadio Mane drives the Reds into a 2-0 lead
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Sadio Mane drives the Reds into a 2-0 leadCredit: AP:Associated Press
Robert Firmino slams the ball into the roof of the net for the opener
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Robert Firmino slams the ball into the roof of the net for the openerCredit: Getty Images
Firmino wheels away after giving Liverpool the lead
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Firmino wheels away after giving Liverpool the leadCredit: EPA
  • Simon Mignolet flapped at a cross and made a brilliant save to deny Giroud within the space of five second-half minutes to show both sides of his game.
  • There was little surprise as a fully fit Sanchez came off the bench to tee-up Danny Welbeck for Arsenal's opener. Great finish from the England man to lift the ball over Mignolet.
  • Nathaniel Clyne is the coolest man in football. Few full-backs would produce a Cruyff-style flick in their own area with Sanchez just yards away.
  • They say there are never any easy games in the Premier League, there are for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool who must wish they could play a 'big club' every week with their record.
  • Emre Can - who was already on a yellow - clattered Theo Walcott and should have walked. His rolling arround on the ground may have helped him.

THE BIG PICTURE

Liverpool's next five fixtures

Burnley (h) Mar 12

Manchester City (a) Mar 19

Everton (h) April 1

Bournemouth (h) April 5

Stoke (a) April 8

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Arsenal's next five matches

Bayern Munich (h) Mar 7

Lincoln City (h) Mar 11

West Brom (a) Mar 18

Manchester City (h) April 2

West Ham (h) April 15

Danny Welbeck lifts the ball over Simon Mignolet to make it 2-1
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Danny Welbeck lifts the ball over Simon Mignolet to make it 2-1
Alexis Sanchez was incredibly dropped to the bench but changed the game after coming on
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Alexis Sanchez was incredibly dropped to the bench but changed the game after coming on
Jurgen Klopp was all smiles as his side dominated the first half
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Jurgen Klopp was all smiles as his side dominated the first halfCredit: Reuters

SOCIAL SAYS

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

Liverpool: Mignolet 6, Clyne 6, Matip 7, Klavan 6, Milner 7, Can 6, Wijnaldum 7, Lallana 7, Coutinho 7, Mane 8, Firmino 8.
Substitutes: Origi 7.

Arsenal: Cech 6, Bellerin 6, Mustafi 6, Koscielny 7, Monreal 6, Coquelin 6, Xhaka 5, Oxlade-Chamberlain 6, Iwobi 6, Welbeck 6, Giroud 6.
Substitutes: Walcott 5, Sanchez 6, Lucas 5.

The Reds boss looked less pleased after the break
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The Reds boss looked less pleased after the breakCredit: AP:Associated Press

 

Arsene Wenger's side struggled to get to grips with the hosts
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Arsene Wenger's side struggled to get to grips with the hostsCredit: EPA

WHAT THEY SAID

Sadio Mane told BT Sport: "The most important thing is the reaction to losing and we reacted today and got the three points. The performance of the team was great.

"We work together as a team, we were compact from the beginning until the end and we are happy to win.";

Adam Lallana:"We went in at half time 2-0 up and were pleased with our performance.

"But it shows that in this game you can't take anything for granted. We had to dig in at 2-1.

"We are still young and still feel we are learning. Of course we are disappointed with how inconsistent we have been since Christmas but it is up to us to put that right."

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