Blogging Heros
Every team seems to have grounds where they can’t get a result for love nor money, and Arsenal’s record at Anfield makes for grim reading. Liverpool can be a force to be reckoned with in their home stadium, and Arsenal have felt their wrath more than most in the Premier League, making the Reds an easy pick for those who place a bet online.
Following Liverpool’s recent 4-0 win over the north Londoners on their home patch, let’s look back at a few times the reds have handed out real hidings to Arsenal.
Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal, May 1998
The history of Liverpool trouncing Arsenal in the Premier League at Anfield goes back to May 1998, when the Reds were on top form as the season drew to a close. A quickfire double from Paul Ince meant that Liverpool were two goals to the good after half an hour, before young starlet Michael Owen made it 3-0 before the break with a flying volley.
A late goal from Øyvind Leonhardsen put the icing on the cake, as the freshly crowned Premier League champions Arsenal had their pride dented just days after Arsène Wenger secured his first league title.
Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal, December 2000
A couple of years later, Arsenal felt the pain at Anfield once again. Steven Gerrard got Liverpool on the front foot with a thunderous strike after 11 minutes, and the home team controlled most of the proceedings.
The second arrived with half an hour to go, Michael Owen tapping one home from close range, and from there the floodgates opened, with Nick Barmby and Robbie Fowler adding gloss to the scoreline. Another humbling for Arsenal on Merseyside.
Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal, February 2014
Flash-forward more than 13 years, and Arsenal went to Anfield needing a big performance to salvage their title hopes, whilst Liverpool were looking to build momentum towards their own title surge.
On a boisterous Saturday afternoon, Liverpool blew Arsenal away. An early brace from Martin Skrtel set the tone, and another couple of goals from Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge meant Liverpool were 4-0 with less than 20 minutes on the clock.
From there the game died down a little. Raheem Sterling added a fifth in the second half, before Arsenal restored a semblance of pride through a penalty from Mikel Arteta. Whatever happened to him?
Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal, August 2017
With Liverpool having pipped Arsenal to fourth place and Champions League qualification at the end of the 2016-17 season, there was a feeling of a grudge match when the two teams met early in the following campaign.
However, this was a match that showcased the contrasting trajectories of the two clubs. Liverpool were on the up, and raced to a 4-0 win, with goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah and Sturridge. Once again, Arsenal had capitulated at Anfield.
Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal, December 2018
Just over a year later, and there was further hurt for the Gunners. The arrival of Unai Emery to replace Arsène Wenger heralded a new era, but it was the same old story on Merseyside, as Arsenal crumbled in a painful 5-1 defeat.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles put the visitors in front early in the match, but it didn’t take long for Liverpool to find their form. Two goals from Firmino, including a majestic solo effort, turned the tide, before Mané added a third and Salah scored from the spot to make it 4-1 at half-time.
A second penalty brought a chance for Firmino to seal his hat-trick, and the Brazilian duly obliged, condemning Arsenal to another dismal defeat.
Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal, November 2021
And so, to the present day. After an impressive unbeaten run since losing three in a row at the start of the season, Arsenal went to Anfield with a lot of hope, but in the end the gulf between the two sides was clear to see.
Mané’s first-half header gave Liverpool the lead in a febrile atmosphere at Anfield, sparked by a touchline row between Jürgen Klopp and Arsenal boss Arteta. Arsenal then fell apart in the second half, with strikes from Diogo Jota, Salah and Takumi Minamino sealing an easy win. There’s always next season, Arsenal fans.
