CNN
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It may only be October but it seems Liverpool’s English Premier League title fight could all but be over before Halloween after Jurgen Klopp’s men suffered a 3-2 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday.
A brace from Bukayo Saka and an early goal from Gabriel Martinelli secured victory for the Londoners, who sit a point above Manchester City at the top of the table after nine games.
For Liverpool, it was another afternoon to forget for a side who were challenged on all fronts last season. After eight games, the Reds are 10th in the league – 14 points behind the Gunners – after just two wins. The team is well below the standards of recent seasons.
With Klopp’s men next up against Manchester City, the deficit could be even bigger by next Sunday should the Merseysiders lose to Pep Guardiola’s men.
Liverpool got off to the worst possible start, conceding in the first minute when Martinelli put the Gunners ahead after 58 seconds.
Summer signing Darwin Nunez equalized in the 34th minute, only Saka putting the home side ahead again just before half-time.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been heavily criticized for his role in Liverpool’s poor start this season, is being criticized again for his role in Arsenal’s two opening goals and, perhaps significantly, the right-back was substituted at half-time and replaced by Joe Gomez. usually a centre-back.
Arsenal, who have improved greatly this season, have played brilliantly for much of the game, illustrating why Mikel Arteta’s side lead the league.
In fact, the home side could have scored more goals before Roberto Firmino equalized for the visitors in the 53rd minute.
Arsenal were awarded a penalty with 15 minutes to go and Saka batted Alisson from the spot to put the Gunners ahead for the third time in the game.
Shortly after a superb double save from Alisson, Reds midfielder Thiago sliced off Gabriel Jesus in what referee Michael Oliver saw as a penalty.