Liverpool fans have slammed Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota after they failed to impress during their league clash with Arsenal. The two sides played out a pulsating 2-2 draw at Anfield on Sunday, April 11.
The Reds came into the fixture on the back of a 3-1 loss to Chelsea, their first league defeat since they officially became league champions. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta’s side were looking to end a three-match winless run across competitions. This includes the home and away loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semifinal and a 1-2 league defeat to Bournemouth the previous weekend.
Arne Slot’s side drew first blood on Sunday as Cody Gakpo opened proceedings in the 20th minute with a close-range header off an Andy Robertson cross. The champions doubled their lead a minute later through Luiz Daiz, taking a two-goal advantage into the break.
However, the second period was all about Arsenal as the Gunners fought back to level the score. Gabriel Martinelli pulled one back for his side two minutes after the break. Mikel Merino then latched onto a rebound from a Martin Odegaard shot to complete the comeback in the 70th minute. The Spaniard later received his marching orders nine minutes later after a second yellow card offence.
With the numerical advantage, the Reds pushed hard to claim all three points. They thought they had won it late on in the game, but Roberson’s strike was chalked off by VAR after a foul by the defender in the build-up.
Liverpool fans were disappointed with the side’s second-half capitulation. A section of supporters singled out Nunez and Jota for their poor display on the day. Both players came off the bench in the 67th and 79th minutes, respectively, but failed to make an impact.
The result sees the Merseyside club maintain their 15-point lead at the table, with 86 points from 36 games. Arsenal, meanwhile, have 68 points.
Liverpool will now look to end the season on a high following back-to-back disappointing outings against Chelsea and Arsenal. The Reds will next face Brighton & Hove Albion away on Monday, May 19.
Arne Slot’s side will then round up the season with a home clash against Crystal Palace six days later. They will receive their winners’ medal and league trophy after that game.
The Gunners, meanwhile, will host Newcastle United on May 18 before facing Southampton away on May 25.
A Chelsea fan, Okenna had his first tryst with Blues in 2006, after fellow countryman John Mikel Obi joined the west London club. He was immediately drawn to the brilliance of players like Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, John Terry and Didier Drogba.
Okenna is a huge fan of Lionel Messi for his exceptional talent. He also admires Jose Mourinho for his achievements with various clubs which proves he’s a tactical and disciplined manger as well as a serial winner.
Some of Okenna’s prospective career landmarks include working as an international journalist and covering a FIFA World Cup game live from the stadium. When not writing, he loves watching, movies and reading books.
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