Liverpool combined brilliantly to stop ‘outstanding’ Gabriel Martinelli

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Liverpool did a wonderful job on Thursday to stop Arsenal star, Gabriel Martinelli. Jurgen Klopp is a big fan of the Brazilian.

Liverpool needed to beat Arsenal at the Emirates to get through to the Carabao Cup final. That was the result of their lacklustre performance a week ago, where the Reds struggled to score against the 10-man Gunners.

And the way this one started, it appeared Liverpool would struggle again. Arsenal had by far the better opening 15 minutes, with the majority of play happening in their opponents defensive 30 yards.

The Gunners’ gameplan was fairly obvious, too. They wanted to get the ball to Gabriel Martinelli, who was more than happy to run at Liverpool and Trent Alexander-Arnold, in particular.

He threatened early on, charging into space at every opportunity and getting the better of Liverpool’s no.66. Martinelli looked very, very dangerous – enough so that Jurgen Klopp labelled him ‘outstanding’ after the game and tipped him as a future star.

How the Reds reacted to that danger, however, was fantastic.

Liverpool stop Gabriel Martinelli vs Arsenal

In the end, no player was dispossessed more than Martinelli, per Whoscored. Liverpool tackled the Brazilian five times – as many as the entire Reds side.

Their right flank deserves huge credit for that. Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson and Kaide Gordon attempted 12 tackles across the game. They won eight of those, too, and each picked up an interception.

The trio consistently forced Martinelli inside, too. Fabinho was there waiting, where he won a match-high five tackles in a dominant performance.

It was a brilliant display of all-around pressing and hard work that shut down Arsenal’s most dangerous area.

As the game went on, Martinelli and Kieran Tierney slowed down dramatically. That was thanks to Liverpool’s efforts down that side and once they got the upper hand, Arsenal rarely threatened.

Alexander-Arnold, in particular, deserves plenty of credit. He put in a wonderful defensive display in the end, winning three tackles, making two clearances, and picking up that interception. Doing that while also assisting both Liverpool goals is outstanding.

He rightly got praise after the game from all corners – fully earned with the way he performed here. Martinelli and co. looked very dangerous to kick things off but by the full-time whistle went, Liverpool had been very comfortable.