Liverpool’s huge Premier League showdown with Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday has just become even more important after Brighton stunned Manchester City with a 1-0 victory.
Yasin Ayari’s first-half goal was enough to give Brighton all three points, handing City another damaging league defeat and opening the door for Liverpool to make a statement of their own.
Andoni Iraola’s side now have a massive opportunity to take advantage.
Liverpool went into the weekend sitting fourth in the Premier League table on 15 points, with Arsenal and Manchester City both on 21. Brighton’s victory takes them up to 19 points.
That means a Liverpool win against Arsenal would move the Reds onto 18 points and within one point of Brighton, while also putting a serious dent in the Gunners’ position at the top.
Suddenly, Sunday’s match feels even bigger.
Brighton have given Liverpool an opportunity
Nobody expected Brighton to make life easy for Manchester City, but their victory is a reminder that the Premier League is wide open.
City have now suffered consecutive league defeats, and Liverpool must make sure they don’t waste the opportunity created by today’s result.
Of course, beating Arsenal is easier said than done.
Mikel Arteta has already made it clear that he believes his team will win at Anfield. The Arsenal manager has publicly declared that he is fully convinced his players will return home with three points.
Those comments should give Liverpool even more motivation.
The Reds have an opportunity to close the gap on Arsenal, protect their impressive Anfield record against the Gunners and send a message to the rest of the league.
Iraola needs a big performance from his players
Liverpool have shown signs of improvement under Iraola, but this is the sort of fixture that will tell us much more about where the team stands.
The manager needs his players to be aggressive, organised and brave in possession.
The midfield battle will be particularly important. Arsenal have quality throughout their team, and Liverpool cannot afford to allow them to dictate the tempo.
There also needs to be a real threat going forward. Isak, Wirtz and Barcola have the ability to hurt Arsenal, but they need the service and support to make an impact.
Anfield will be rocking, and Liverpool must use that atmosphere to their advantage.
Three points could change the picture
This is not about declaring Liverpool title contenders after one big result. There is still a long way to go this season, and Iraola is continuing to build his team.
But the importance of Sunday’s game cannot be understated.
Brighton have done Liverpool a favour by beating City. Now it is up to the Reds to take advantage by getting the better of Arsenal.
A victory would take Liverpool to 18 points, leave them just one behind Brighton and move them three behind the current leaders.
Drop points, however, and that opportunity disappears.
My verdict: Sunday’s game has gone from being a massive test for Iraola to a huge opportunity for Liverpool. Brighton have given the Reds a helping hand, but now Liverpool need to do their part.
Arteta says Arsenal are going to Anfield to win. I would love nothing more than to see him leave with a very different story to tell.
Three points, please, Liverpool!
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
### _Related_