Arsenal vs Liverpool: Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker make rare errors as Reiss Nelson takes advantage

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Tom Doyle15 July 2020

Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker have been instrumental in Liverpool's Premier League title triumph, but they both had a first half to forget against Arsenal.

Liverpool headed to the Emirates on Wednesday night with Manchester City's 100-point League record still within reach, and started the match in perfect fashion.

The champions deservedly took the lead after 20 minutes, Sadio Mane finishing off a slick move that also involved Roberto Firmino and Andy Robertson down the left flank.

Arsenal had already come close to gifting the Reds an opener as Firmino charged down an Emiliano Martinez clearance, with the ball bouncing off the base of a post.

But then things got a little strange: Van Dijk has rightly been praised for his performances at the heart of the Liverpool defence, but he gifted Arsenal an equaliser.

REUTERS

The Netherlands international was pressed by Reiss Nelson and passed the ball straight into the path of Alexandre Lacazette, who was left with a simple finish to haul Arsenal level.

Things went from bad to worse for the Liverpool defence when goalkeeper Alisson looked to play out from the back but only picked out an alert Lacazette and he played in Nelson to give Arsenal the lead heading into half-time.

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