Liverpool's Early Dominance Fizzles Out at Anfield
If anyone expected Liverpool’s homecoming as Premier League champions to be smooth sailing, Arsenal quickly rewrote that script. Fresh from clinching the title, Liverpool walked out under a guard of honour and cheers, but what sparked in the first half soon flamed out into frustration.
Cody Gakpo nodded home Andy Robertson’s inviting cross barely 20 minutes in, getting the Anfield crowd singing. Spirits soared higher a minute later—Luis Díaz took his chance, slotting in the second and making it 2-0 before Arsenal knew what hit them. It had the look of a champions’ parade before halftime, with Liverpool weaving possession and Arsenal backpedalling. For a while, it felt like the night might belong to the Reds in every sense.
Arsenal Rally and The Alexander-Arnold Backdrop
The second half, though, flipped the mood. Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli got a step on Liverpool’s back line and thumped in a header just two minutes after the break. The tension returned. The Emirates side wasn’t there to make up numbers; they sensed Liverpool’s guard was down. Sure enough, Mikel Merino pounced in the 70th minute, following up his own rebound to draw things level. Just ten minutes later, Merino was off, seeing red after two clumsy fouls. Suddenly, Arsenal had to navigate the final minutes a man down, but Liverpool didn’t press the advantage.
All eyes, however, turned to Alexander-Arnold. When he came on as a substitute in the 65th minute, expecting perhaps a warm send-off, the reaction stung. Instead of applause, the Kop greeted him with resounding boos, echoing the frustration about his rumored exit. Liverpool fans, craving a new chapter, called out for Conor Bradley and club icon Steven Gerrard—a pointed message about the club’s future. As for Bradley, he looked anything but overawed on his debut. Slotting in at right-back, the 20-year-old kept his head, following manager Arne Slot’s orders to the letter, even as Arsenal repeatedly tested his side of the pitch.
Slot was quick to praise Bradley post-match. Sure, the Irish youngster was learning on the job, but he never lost his shape or made rash decisions. The tactical shift away from Alexander-Arnold’s attacking style became clear—Liverpool are moving with purpose into a new era in defence. For all the fury and chaos swirling around Alexander-Arnold, the plan now seems much more about the future than the past.
Even as Liverpool controlled the ball and pressed against a ten-man Arsenal, the night ended without a winning goal. The result won’t change the standings or erase their title glory, but it hints at bigger changes ahead. The Anfield crowd, once united in joy, now watches their champions wrestle with change right on the pitch.
May 12 2025 0
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