04 February 2024 , 22:29
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Jurgen Klopp claimed Alisson and Virgil van Dijk are only human after their howlers hurt Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal secured a huge win to put them two points off the league leaders after a dramatic clash at the Emirates. But they had the Brazilian keeper to thank after he made a mess of clearing a long ball when Gabriel Martinelli put Virgil van Dijk under pressure.
The Gunners forward tapped home and then Leandro Trossard beat Van Dijk in a foot race before a deflected shot off the Dutch defender went through Alisson’s legs to make it 3-1.
“Our two main guns had a misunderstanding,” said Klopp. "It just shows they are human beings and that makes the things they usually do even more special.
“Sometimes you forget they are humans as well. They are not happy and we are not happy, 100 per cent. But that’s it now. We had to make more of the game. Take it, deal with it, go from here.”
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Van Dijk was quick to take the blame for the second which put Arsenal back in front after a Gabriel own goal had cancelled out Bukayo Saka’s opener. The Kop defender said: “A tough day. I think the 2-1 [Martinelli's goal] I take full responsibility for that.
"That is a big moment in the game. I should have made a better decision - it hurts for me.. Obviously these things don't happen too often in my career, but I will recover from this.”
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A defensive mix-up allowed Arsenal to retake the lead against Liverpool (PA)Arsenal are now two points behind Liverpool with Manchester City five points back but with two games in hand. Boss Arteta said: “It was a huge game that was going to dictate where we are and where we're going to be.
"What the players produced was phenomenal," he added. It gives us momentum and the way we have done it we are back on it - really excited."
Liverpool knocked Arsenal out of this season's FA Cup, but Sunday's defeat means they were unable to beat the Gunners in either league meeting. Trossard's clincher came with Liverpool down to 10 men, after Ibrahima Konate was given his marching orders for a second yellow card.
Liverpool, who now sit two points clear of Arsenal, return to action at home to Burnley next Saturday. Arsenal's next fixture takes place the following day, with Mikel Arteta's team travelling across London to face West Ham United.