The _Champions_ return to where it all happened two weeks ago, their home and fortress, Anfield. [Liverpool](https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/) host the runners up today as Arsenal come down to give us a guard of honor and at least pretend there is something still left to play for for them. They have to maintain that second place finish, after all.
Arne Slot makes six changes from his starting lineup against Chelsea, with Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench off the back of his unsurprising announcement this week. Slot mentioned he wants Conor Bradley to get more minutes ahead of next season, implying the Northern Irishman will be the preferred starting right back next season which you know what, is probably fine.
What really matters is that guard of honor, though, and showing Arsenal what it takes to actually seal the championship.
First Half
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The Champions come out to rapturous applause from Anfield, chants of “Campione” ringing out around the stadium as Arsenal line up and clap for the guard of honor. The match gets underway with Arsenal taking the first kick. There is already trouble after Mikel Merino goes down in dramatic fashion after losing a header and coming up against Bradley, winning Arsenal a free kick. The effort gets to Saka and he gets a touch, but his effort just skims past the post. Liverpool finally get control and get up close to David Raya after a beautiful long pass from Curtis Jones, with Salah laying it off to Luis Diaz but Raya makes the save.
**THE REDS TAKE THE LEAD!** Cody Gakpo picks up a long ball from Andy Robertson, getting into the area, and though Arsenal thwart the first shot, Robbo tries again and **Gakpo’s head gets it into the net!** Not even two minutes later, Szoboszlai sets it up, Raya gets out of his goal and **LUIS DIAZ MAKES IT TWO!** This is the Liverpool we saw run rampant across [Tottenham Hotspur](https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com) that saw us lock down the championship, and it looks like Arsenal are purely stunned by the turn of events. The fans erupt into “Where’s your European cup?” just to add insult to injury for the visitors.
Arsenal have briefly taken control again and gotten close to Alisson, but Liverpool are quick to pick up their second balls and though Saka is ready for to get into position, his effort goes straight into the Kop. The Gunners look to be trying to regain some confidence, but as soon as Liverpool win the ball for more than a couple passes, they seem to deflate on the back of the fans consistent chanting. It’s still only the first half and now they’re starting to get frustrated, choosing to throw themselves at the Liverpool players instead of trying to actually win the ball.
Three minutes are added to the first half but really, Arsenal could go home right now. They look like they need the reset.
Second Half
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We’re back out for the second half, with neither managers making any changes. Liverpool start attacking the Kop end thankfully and though there is a moment where Alisson looks caught in a bad position, Liverpool’s defense is able to handle things without much fuss. Unfortunately, the second effort is not nearly as clean, as Gabriel Martinelli gets a header past Alisson and it’s **2-1. It’s fine, we’re still champions.**
It sounds like Anfield is still trying to catch their breath after the first half, but the voices rise above once again to push the Reds and keep them from getting complacent. Things have settled once again but Liverpool finally start to get forward, with Szoboszlai firing off a trademark outside the box rocket that Raya catches on a bounce. A little less rampant in these first ten minutes of the second half, but a third goal is very much still expected for the champions.
Martinelli goes down in the box after Conor Bradley wins the ball, spurring Arsenal to cry for a penalty that isn’t given or necessary. Liverpool look to make their first changes of the match, with Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Núñez, and Trent Alexander-Arnold all come on for Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, and Conor Bradley. A chorus of boos disappointingly rings out as Trent takes the pitch, but not unexpected unfortunately. Arsenal find an equalizer while the fans are too busy booing Trent, and it’s **2-2.** It’s fine, he’s still a champion (and so are we).
Arsenal is putting up more of fight in this second half, and we’re not fighting back as well as we were in the first half. More changes are made, as Diogo Jota comes on for Luis Diaz, and Arsenal bringing on Kieran Tierney and Calafiori, and not long after Merino earns his second yellow after going into Darwin AND Szoboszlai just outside the box. Liverpool win a free kick in a good area, Trent steps up, and it goes just wide of the top corner. Harvey Elliott comes on for Ryan Gravenberch in the 82nd minute, as Liverpool try to find that winner. Would be great if it came from him or Darwin.
Five minutes of added time, plenty of time to find that winner (she tells herself). Did we use up all of our gas against Spurs? Who cares, we’re still champions! Liverpool wins a corner in the last gasp of the match, our Argentine takes it, Virgil gets a head, **ROBBO SCORES**, but it goes under review and is ruled out by Konate pushing Lewis-Skelly in the face. Welp.
Final Thoughts
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Well we didn’t lose, we just switched off a little bit and let Arsenal back into the game, but it’s fine because we’re still champions and they’re not. On to the Seagulls!