Liverpool: ‘We should have won’ — Arteta

Arsenal manager,  Mikel Arteta has rued his team’s missed chances against Liverpool on Sunday.

Speaking to BBC’s Match of the Day, Arteta said, “Really disappointing not to win it because when you look at the chances, we should have won the game.

“The team played so well, we were dominant and very determined. Really aggressive and played in the right areas to create some big chances. We are open in transition for the second goal. Against this team, you cannot do that if you want to win the game.

“It is what it is at the moment. The backline is completely different to what we’re used to. We should have won the game.”

However, he lauded his team’s character and style of play, saying, “Very proud of the team. The courage, quality, domination in the game we wanted to play especially in the first half. Should’ve been a bigger score in first half, they came out in second half and we didn’t have courage.

“We deserved to win the game. We were the better team. Learnings from both goals, second one is a transition moment we have to end up in final third. You can not give that away.

“We were clear in what we had to do and the execution, determination and aggression with and without the ball was really good. A few moments where we should’ve put the ball in the net.

“In the first phase we needed more courage to play. We created big opportunities.”

ALSO READ: Salah strike hands Liverpool 2-2 draw at Arsenal

On his part, Liverpool manager Arne Slot said, “Two times behind then it’s pleasing to see we can come back into the game especially with one day less to recover. To be stronger in second half than first pleases me. You come here to win but maybe a draw was a result we can take with us, especially after the first half.

“You know coming here that they have many quality players, you can have difficult moments in the game. Pleased me to score from a set piece. We needed that because from open play we weren’t dominant at all. They deserved to be up 2-1 at half time. But the way we showed up second half was impressive.

“Two minutes before the second goal Trent [Alexander-Arnold] was closer to the 18-yard box and he got a bit of criticism for the pass. The good thing about Trent is that he tries again and it led to a great team goal. Darwin [Nunez] hasn’t played that many games but has to play every game now because we needed him for a goal. He kept going with the energy.

“In the first 10-15 minutes after half time we were better than in the first half. But bringing on three quality players they bring a lot of energy and that helped us to get three points.”

 

ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROMSPORTING TRIBUNE

Palmer: ‘A reason why people pay’ — Maresca