Premier League: Liverpool pick up crucial Arsenal win to close down gap on Man City

Liverpool reignited Premier League title race and came within a point of top spot with a 2-0 win over Arsenal on Wednesday after scoring two second-half goals to extend ir winning streak to nine games.

Diogo Jota and substitute Roberto Firmi found net within eight minutes of each or after a flat first-half performance from visitors at Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool w has 69 points, one behind Manchester City, which slipped up with a 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace on Monday. If Liverpool can win its remaining nine matches, including against City on April 10, Reds will win league.

“Of course we have momentum,” Liverpool manr Jurgen Klopp said. “But momentum is most fragile flower on planet.”

His team is trying to reclaim Premier League title from City, which lifted trophy last season. Liverpool won it in 2020, its 19th league title overall.

Liverpool left back Andy Robertson predicted title race could go down to wire.

“y are a point ahead,” he said. “y are a fantastic team, one of best in world. n it’s a sprint to finish line.”

Jota beat Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at near post in 54th minute after Liverpool forward latched onto a throughball from midfielder Thiago Alcântara. Ramsdale got a hand to Jota’s shot, but keeper should have done better to keep ball out.

goal sparked wild celebrations in away end as Liverpool players ran over to ir fans in corner. That was Jota’s last action on field as Klopp made a double substitution, bringing on Mohamed Salah, who had recovered from a foot injury, and Firmi.

It didn’t take long for Firmi to repay his manr’s faith. Robertson drove to byline before cutting it back for Brazilian, who flicked ball past Ramsdale for Liverpool’s second in 62nd.

Firmi jumped over advertising boards and was hugged by ecstatic Liverpool fans.

After match, Klopp marched over to cheering Liverpool supporters and pumped his fist in air several times, with fans responding in kind.

“Coming here against Arsenal and winning 2-0,” Klopp said. “That’s really special.”

Before goals, Arsenal’s defense had largely been alert to Liverpool threat.

And only three minutes before Jota’s goal, Arsenal should have scored. A poor backpass from Alcântara was collected by Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette. But Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker forced him to play ball back to Arsenal midfielder Martin Ødegaard and keeper n made a reflex save with his hand to deny rwegian.

Arsenal also failed to capitalize on an energetic first-half performance.

Arsenal worked both flanks in opening interval, trying to get ball quickly up field to forwards Gabriel Martinelli on left and Bukayo Saka on right. But final ball let Gunners down time and time again.

Martinelli made a fine run down left in 15th minute and stormed past right back Trent Alexander-Arld before delivering a low cross that nearly found Lacazette. But Robertson did well to clear danger for Liverpool.

Martinelli nearly pulled back a goal for Arsenal in 88th, but his rolling shot just missed squeezing in at far post.

result ended Arsenal’s five-game winning streak, with Gunners remaining in fourth place with 51 points. y are a point ahead of Manchester United, but Arsenal has two games in hand.

Arsenal manr Mikel Arteta said he was proud of his players for ir performance.

“y really raised level today,” he said. “But unfortunately games are won within boxes. We opened door and y scored two goals.”