Sports
Bobby Firmino The Hero Vs. Arsenal
Liverpool vs. Arsenal, a game of two halves, a game of two heroes it would seem as Bobby Firmino comes through to save the image of Anfield. But if there are any villains in this game, it has Liverpool’s defense all over it.
Arsenal came to Anfield looking to crack a curse that had clouded them since 2012 when they last stole all 3 points away from the Reds.
This game very nearly could have broken the yoke but there was just one boogeyman that Arsenal never wanted to see playing against them, in Bobby Firmino.
The Brazilian has scored a brace, a solo goal, a hat-trick against the Gunners that it would have been anti-climatic had he come into the game without hitting the mark past Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal like the team in chase for the premier League title, started the match on fire, tearing Liverpool’s defence in minutes to score 2 goals past Virgil van Dijk and Allison Becker to remind the Dutch that his aura is long fading away.
Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus were the merchants on target for Arsenal, intent at breaking a perceived curse Liverpool and Anfield may have placed on them since 2012. However, Mohamed Salah came in sharp just before the half-time break to shorten the deficit with a tap in against Aaron Ramsdale.
The score line went 2-1 at the break. Shortly after the half-time break, Mohamed Salah very nearly could have evened the score line had he not flaunted a penalty kick awarded Liverpool in the penalty box.
From hero, Salah became an unwitting villain, especially for a Pep Guardiola side needing points to be dropped from a ruthless Arsenal side.
Bobby Firmino however had his introduction the hope Liverpool and Manchester City needed as he slotted home a Trent Alexander Arnold assist in the 87th minute to complete the comeback for Liverpool.
Comeback kings have returned, with Bobby Firmino the knight in shinning armor for the Reds, and of course, Liverpool could have sealed the win in the last minute had Aaron Ramsdale not had a vital save.
This game was one of heroes and villains, and there were lots of them.
Talk about heroes and villains, the referee and his team had their own fair share of the category as what came up in instances in the game.
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson was elbowed by an assistant referee during the half-time break in Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Arsenal. The incident occurred as the players were making their way to the tunnel, with the linesman, Constantine Hatzidakis, appearing to strike Robertson in the throat.
Robertson was visibly upset, and touchline reporter Geoff Shreeves confirmed that he was fuming about the incident. The linesman assumed his position for the second half, but he could face disciplinary action for his actions.
The incident occurred during a heated first half, with Arsenal leading 2-1 after goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, with Liverpool’s Mo Salah pulling one back. After the whistle blew for half-time, Liverpool players, including captain Jordan Henderson, surrounded referee Paul Tierney, with Jamie Carragher suggesting that Hatzidakis had raised an elbow towards Robertson.
Sky Sports showed footage of the incident during their half-time coverage, and the incident is likely to be a talking point in the post-match interviews. Roy Keane was unsympathetic towards Robertson, branding him a “big baby” and urging him to “concentrate on his defending”.
The game continued to be a fiery encounter, with both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Granit Xhaka booked for a heated altercation. Liverpool had a golden opportunity to level from the penalty spot after a foul on Diogo Jota, but Salah passed the ball wide, missing his second consecutive penalty.
However, Liverpool’s substitute Roberto Firmino scored a late equalizer to salvage a point for his team, which is a boost to Manchester City’s title aspirations. The incident involving Robertson and Hatzidakis is likely to be further reviewed and could result in disciplinary action against the linesman.
