LONDON: Arsenal continued their eye-catching end-of-season form by cruising to a 4-1 win on Saturday that delivered a crushing blow to Liverpool’s hopes of making a Champions League return.
While Arsenal cemented their spot in the top four, Liverpool’s chances took a nosedive thanks to a first-half three-goal blitz at the Emirates Stadium.
Hector Bellerin, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez all scored inside the final eight minutes of the half as a depleted Liverpool were put to the sword.
Liverpool hit back via a Jordan Henderson penalty, but Emre Can was then sent off for a second yellow card and Olivier Giroud restored the hosts’ three-goal advantage with a stoppage-time strike.
Liverpool packed the midfield and sought to use Sterling’s pace as a lone frontman, but their game-plan did not work and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was quickly required to save from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey.
Liverpool were all at sea, but after 20 minutes they steadied the ship and began to apply pressure.
Lazar Markovic broke free, but the Serbian winger spurned a golden chance by overcooking a square pass to Sterling, enabling Arsenal to escape.
Arsenal’s early fluidity and zip had disappeared, but in an evenly poised game the hosts took the lead via Bellerin.
It would get even worse for Liverpool three minutes later. Philippe Coutinho was guilty of tripping Ozil and the German stepped up to curl home a fine 25-yard free-kick.
Arsenal were not done there as they continued their purple patch with a stunning strike from Sanchez on the stroke of half-time.
The Chilean cut inside Kolo Toure before unleashing a 20-yard rocket that flew past a stunned Mignolet. Liverpool were given a glimmer of hope when Sterling’s quick feet lured Bellerin into a mis-timed tackle that prompted referee Anthony Taylor to point to the spot.
Henderson beat Ospina with a low shot to the goalkeeper’s right that crept between the
Colombian’s right hand and the base of the left-hand post, but it was to prove no more than a consolation.
And as Arsenal coasted to a 10th win in 11 league games, Can’s reckless late challenge on substitute Danny Welbeck saw him given his marching orders.