Liverpool fought back impressively to overcome Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup, with the media praising their winning mentality.
Jurgen Klopp’s men were under pressure for almost the entire first half at the Emirates on Sunday afternoon but managed to overcome that period.
The Reds then put together a thrilling second half, when an own goal from Jakub Kiwior and a goal from Luis Díaz sent them to the fourth round.
Here’s the best of the media reaction to Liverpool’s victory.
Liverpool really showed their winning advantage…
David Lynch praised the mental strength shown by the Reds, after a poor start:
“Liverpool were obviously lucky at times today, but a) they also got better as the game went on and b) it’s Arsenal away from home!
“If you can’t dominate, then show resilience, and this team has that in abundance. “A really brilliant and hard-fought victory.”
In X, Neil Jones described it as a “significant victory” in Liverpool’s season:
Great celebrations at the end for Liverpool, and no wonder.
This was a significant victory and one that will convince Klopp and his players (even more) that good things are coming.#LFC ? pic.twitter.com/wc8glHuZ7r
– Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) January 7, 2024
Oliver Holt of the Daily Mail felt the same, although the game perhaps didn’t feel very big in the run-up to kick-off:
“Sometimes the importance of a match like Arsenal-Liverpool is riddled with questions about the importance of the match beyond the desire to avoid a repeat.
“Those questions loomed over this game as well, but when it was over, it was hard to doubt its importance to both sides.
[…]
“Their victory, achieved despite the absence of their talisman Mo Salah, who is away from home at the Africa Cup of Nations, took them into the fourth round draw and provided another big boost to their confidence.
“The momentum in a season that once seemed to belong to Aresenal has shifted north to Merseyside.”
Lewis Steele said Klopp’s tactical alternations were a key reason for the victory:
Maybe not directly, but Klopp’s changes won that tie for Liverpool. By far the second best game in the first half, but switching Diaz to the right and Nunez to the left, plus the introduction of Jota, added some spark. More control also in midfield and limiting Odegaard’s influence. #LFC?
– Lewis Steele (@LewisSteele_) January 7, 2024
BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty praised Liverpool’s victory, considering they did so without Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah:
“Liverpool were missing two of their superstars in the clash between the Premier League title contenders in this FA Cup tie, but they overcame the absence of Van Dijk and Salah in impressive fashion.
“They welcomed Arsenal’s poor finish in the first half but Klopp’s team were always in the game and, even without Salah, they possess a threat in their forward line and that became increasingly evident as the match progressed.
“Ibrahima Konate in particular stood out, showing that he can put in impressive performances even without Van Dijk by his side, while young defender Jarell Quansah continues to impress in the absence of Joel Matip.”
This is a season that is gaining momentum every week…
Liverpool are thriving in several competitions, something the Guardian’s David Hytner focused on:
“Liverpool’s joy knew no limits. There was a feeling that this FA Cup tie was more important for Arsenal, given the form they had assumed: three Premier League defeats in five.
“The need for them to regain momentum was greater. Top of the table Liverpool were confident of their chance at Carabao Cup glory; “They will face Fulham in the semi-final first leg at Anfield on Wednesday.”
The Telegraph’s Jason Burt questioned the psychological impact this result could have on Arsenal:
“The importance of this victory for Liverpool may not be felt until May. Not necessarily in the FA Cup, but in the context of the Premier League title race.
“For the second season in a row, Arsenal have come out of this competition against what, at the time, were their closest rivals.
“Manchester City knocked them out in the fourth round of that campaign and of course they will have a say this time, and a weakened Liverpool have done that now.
“This will lead to angst and soul-searching at Arsenal over the profligacy of their attack, with Kai Havertz a shell of a centre-forward who spurned chance after chance, and while Liverpool were not deadly, they are in the hat.”
Finally, This Is Anfield’s Lynch wondered if another 63-game season is on the horizon for Liverpool:
“In the build-up to this match, there was a lot of talk about the fact that a draw with a replay result would be the worst possible result. But many took that to mean Klopp would simply throw in the towel, naming a team guaranteed to suffer a defeat that would remove the FA Cup from his list of worries for the season.
“The German, of course, made some changes, but still put together a team capable of (and, judging by its performance, determined to) secure passage to the next round.
“That should put an end to any notion that Liverpool won’t give it their all to continue progressing towards the latter stages of this competition, even with the games piling up.
“With that in mind, Reds fans should prepare for another four-way fight for honors and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it.
“Are we in for another 63-game season…?”
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