Pepe Impresses, Torreira Scores As Arsenal Go Down At Liverpool

24th August 2019 - by AFP

The Ivorian was handed his first start since a £72 million ($87 million) move from Lille and showed why he was so coveted by posing a constant threat on the counter-attack

Arsenal's French-born Ivorian midfielder Nicolas Pepe (R) controls the ball in front of Liverpool's Scottish defender Andrew Robertson (L) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on August 24, 2019. PHOTO | AFP

SUMMARY

Liverpool soared clear at the top of the Premier League by sweeping aside Arsenal 3-1 at Anfield thanks to a Mohamed Salah double on Saturday
Both sides started with the only 100 percent records left in England's top-flight, but Jurgen Klopp's men demonstrated the chasm that exists behind them and reigning champions Manchester City with a dominant display
Joel Matip's towering header opened the floodgates just before half-time and Salah killed the game from the penalty spot before adding his second with a wonderful run and finish

LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom- Liverpool soared clear at the top of the Premier League by sweeping aside Arsenal 3-1 at Anfield thanks to a Mohamed Salah double on Saturday.

Both sides started with the only 100 percent records left in England's top-flight, but Jurgen Klopp's men demonstrated the chasm that exists behind them and reigning champions Manchester City with a dominant display.

Joel Matip's towering header opened the floodgates just before half-time and Salah killed the game from the penalty spot before adding his second with a wonderful run and finish.

Liverpool open up a three-point lead at the top with Arsenal still in second, but City and Tottenham can move to within two points when they are in action on Sunday.

Arsenal have now lost their last three visits to Anfield by a combined score of 12-2 and early season optimism they could pose a threat to Liverpool and City in the title race was snuffed out despite promising signs from club record signing Nicolas Pepe.

The Ivorian was handed his first start since a £72 million ($87 million) move from Lille and showed why he was so coveted by posing a constant threat on the counter-attack.

Liverpool were camped in the Gunners' half for the opening 10 minutes, but the visitors were nearly gifted the lead when Adrian, deputising for the injured Alisson Becker in goal, got in Virgil van Dijk's way as he dealt with a hopeful long ball for Pepe.

The Spanish stopper was at fault for Southampton's consolation in a 2-1 Liverpool win last weekend but escaped this time as the ball fell to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and his chipped effort drifted inches wide.

Pepe then became the first player to dribble past Van Dijk in the Premier League for nearly 18 months as he showed his blistering pace and sent a curling effort from outside the area just wide