VIRGIL VAN DIJK accepted responsibility for Arsenal’s embarrassing defensive gaffe, which broke the title race wide open.
Gabriel Martinelli took advantage of a terrible mix-up between Liverpool captain Van Dijk and custodian Alisson to put the Gunners ahead 2-1 at the Emirates.
Curtis Jones, left, reflects with Virgil van Dijk and keeper Alisson Becker on the howler that allowed Gabriel Martinelli to restore Arsenal’s advantage. Martinelli, left, had a straightforward chance to make it 2-1 in the Gunners’ 3-1 triumph after a miscommunication between Liverpool’s Alisson and Van Dijk.
Alisson also erred when replacement Leandro Trossard slid the ball between his legs for Arsenal’s third goal, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side two points behind Liverpool at the top.
Champions Manchester City, who travel to Brentford on Monday night, will take the lead if they win their two games in hand.
After Sunday’s 3-1 setback, Van Dijk observed, “It’s a very tough day.” I accept complete responsibility for Martinelli’s goal, as it was a turning point in the game and I could have performed better.
“It was a split decision, and I decided to let the ball bounce and attempt to put my body in between; Alisson touched me slightly, which is why he couldn’t clear it correctly.
“It hurts for the entire team, but especially for myself. It was a significant turning point.
“These things have not happened too many times in my career but I will recover as I learn from things that don’t go well.”
Liverpool suffered their second league defeat of the season after being reduced to ten men in the 88th minute due to Ibrahima Konate’s red card.
Jurgen Klopp, the Reds’ manager who is leaving at the end of the season, refused to attack Van Dijk and Alisson.
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He explained: “Our main people had a misunderstanding. They are human creatures.
Bukayo Saka opened the score before Gabriel’s odd own goal following a mistake by William Saliba brought Liverpool level on the stroke of halftime.
However, the Reds’ blunders ruined their 21-match domestic unbeaten streak, with pundit Roy Keane comparing their defending to that of a ‘pub side’.
Klopp continued, “We wanted to win here, but we weren’t good enough.
“But now, nobody celebrates as champions, and no one is relegated. We have time to shape our own future.
“In the end, I didn’t think about how many games City had left. I’m not nervous. “We expect them to always win their games.”
Arsenal have won three Premier League games in a row, moving them into second place, and Arteta praised his team for a season-defining victory.
When asked if they now have the mentality to win the crown, Arteta replied, “Absolutely.” We demonstrated this today against Europe’s most in-form squad.
“To be the best and have the best mindset, you must do it every three days. That is the challenge we face.
“It was a huge game that was going to dictate where we are and where we’re going to be.”
Declan Rice, a midfielder, stated, “We recognized the importance of the game.
“We’ve got ourselves back on track.”