Liverpool didn’t just beat Arsenal at Anfield – they sent a message. John Aldridge reckons Sunday’s 1-0 win wasn’t about the points, it was about psychology.
Arsenal tried to shut up shop, came for a draw, and almost pulled it off. But then Dominik Szoboszlai dropped a thunderbolt free-kick and the Reds walked away with a statement win.
For Arne Slot, it was the perfect response: Liverpool defended tighter, dealt with set-pieces, and looked way more organised than in their scrappy wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle.
And two players stood out. Ibrahima Konate, under pressure after poor form and speculation over his future, answered back. Big tackles, confidence growing with every roar from the Kop – Aldridge says Anfield “knew he needed it” and got behind him.
Then there’s Milos Kerkez, who finally showed the defensive grit fans wanted, keeping Noni Madueke quiet.
Liverpool still missed out on deadline-day target Marc Guehi, but with Virgil van Dijk purring, Konate bouncing back, Joe Gomez solid, and youngster Giovani Leoni waiting – the centre-back situation doesn’t look so shaky… for now.
