by If Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba swap shirts after the full-time whistle at Anfield they will be ready for immediate framing; this was an excellent display defending without breaking a sweat.
The concrete foundation of Liverpool and Arsenal’s title bid was largely written in a breathtakingly breathless game in which neither goalkeeper felt overworked. The lack of six-yard box activity is not an indication of quality, any more than the strongest, unbeaten performances were from those who opposed the attackers’ relentless running and pressing.
Over the past 12 months, Van Dijk has seemingly handed Saliba the title of the Premier League’s most stylish and combative centre-back. The Dutchman’s reunion with his old self this season means the French defender may have to wait a little longer for the full crown despite Jamie Carragher’s effusive praise for the 22-year-old on commentary.
Either way, it’s only a matter of time before the Arsenal man wears the crown. Arsenal’s championship this season confirmed it.
Mikel Arteta was asked about the difference between his latest Anfield draw and that in April; this one is heartwarming and worth celebrating and the last one was the source of deflation.
“We were missing players last season,” he said. Then there was a little break. “Important ones.”
It may have also added Saliba’s name, his absence at a crucial point in the title run halting the momentum of the previous seven months. The lesson from history is there; To lose Saliba, forget to stay above Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp’s only tactical error was that few could have predicted 22 minutes from time. He chose to move Mohamed Salah from the right – where he terrorized Oleksandr Zinchenko for the equalizer – to take on central striker duties.
The biggest compliment for Saliba is that he was a disaster, an Arsenal goalkeeper too strong, too quick and too smart to let Salah embarrass him as almost every other defender in England has at some point with last seven years.
Salah was so comfortable taking the ball away from his new marker, it took a double take to make sure it actually happened. Then it happened a few more times. In a game where the Egyptian first-class has yet to leave an indelible mark, it is testament to how good Saliba was that he finished the evening sharing the award with Van Dijk as the man of the match; the personification of serenity during those times when the inferno was raging around him.
In those tighter moments for Arsenal either side of half-time, the Kop at its sharpest first just after an equalizer and then when Arteta’s midfielders continued to offer festive gifts by losing possession, Saliba stood firm , with able assistance. Gabriel.
Center halves are rarely complete; few have that combination of Tony Adams’ physicality and bravery, Martin Keown’s pace and ease in possession like midfield maestro Emmanuel Petit. They must be nurtured when they arrive, as they are usually one in a generation for the lucky club that owns it.
In contrast to Arteta, Klopp was reduced to full-time, and the immediate feeling was that two chances to make a statement have gone begging, drawn in succession with Manchester United and Arsenal at the cost of four points.
On reflection, he will be more enthusiastic that his team has progressed with a team that is a year ahead of Liverpool in its development. And in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Salah he has game changers with magic wands in their right and left boots respectively who will keep Liverpool in contention.
However, we are all hopeful that Van Dijk is the player he has been since signing, with last season’s dip due to various circumstances being an exception. It is still surprising that Liverpool are competing for the title with a rebuilt midfield. When you consider Van Dijk’s influence there is no shock.
As always, the main contenders for footballer of the year are usually creators and tacklers. If Arsenal or Liverpool go the distance, the lens should be on their defensive leaders – those who create the security to turn narrow wins into draws, or who pull in last-gasp victories.
Suffice it to say, to the naked eye, even a quick swing on the line with Saliba and Van Dijk will look more like an elegant tragedy. When the smaller centre-backs are in full swing, they almost match the pace of events between Saliba and Van Dijk.
Arsenal left Merseyside so relaxed because Saliba was more than anyone caught in that ‘washing machine’ at Anfield – so cool he won’t even need his jersey.
