William Saliba has firmly established himself as one of the world's best defenders. Photo: Reuters/Karl Resin
If Virgil van Dijk and William Saliba swapped shirts at the full-time whistle at Anfield and were ready for immediate framing; it was a demonstration of world-class defense without breaking a sweat.
The concrete foundations of Liverpool and Arsenal's title bid were laid out in a thrilling, brilliant game in which neither goalkeeper felt overworked. The lack of play in the six-yard box is not a reflection of quality, rather the most convincing and unflappable performances came from those who resisted the relentless running and pressing of the forwards.
Over the past 12 months this has been the case. Van Dijk lost the title of the most stylish and combative central defender in the Premier League to Saliba. The Dutchman's reconnection with his old self this season means the French defender may have to wait a little longer for full coronation, despite Jamie Carragher's effusive praise for the 22-year-old in the commentary section.
In any case, it's only a matter of time before an Arsenal player dons the crown. Arsenal's championship this season will confirm that.
Mikel Arteta was asked about the difference between his last draw at Anfield and the one in April; this one is encouraging and worthy of celebration, while the latter has become a source of deflation.
“We were short of players last season,” he said. Then there was a short pause. «Important.»
He might as well have added Saliba's name, his absence at a crucial moment in the title fight halting the momentum of the previous seven months. The history lesson is here; lose Saliba, forget about staying above Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp's only tactical mistake was one that few could have predicted with 22 minutes left in the match. He decided to replace Mohamed Salah on the right, where he had terrorized Oleksandr Zinchenko for the equalizer, and take over center forward duties.
Saliba's biggest compliment is that he proved to be the wrong player: Arsenal's centre-back is too strong, too quick and too smart to allow Salah to embarrass him, as he has embarrassed almost every other defender in England at some point over the past seven years.
Salah waved the ball away so comfortably with his new marker that it took a double take to make sure it actually happened. Then this happened a couple more times. In a game in which the world-class Egyptian still left an indelible mark, it is testament to how good Saliba was that at the end of the evening he shared the award with Van Dijk as the most successful player of the match; the personification of serenity during those periods when hell was raging around him.
Mohamed Salah failed to beat William Saliba in the game. Photo: Getty Images/Chris Brunskill
It was in those difficult moments for Arsenal either side of the break, when the Kop were at their loudest, first immediately after the equalizer, and then when Arteta's midfielders briefly continued to present celebratory gifts Having lost possession, Saliba stood firm, ably assisted by Arsenal. Gabriel.
Complete central midfielders are a rarity; few have the combination of physical strength and bravery of Tony Adams, speed of Martin Keown and ease of possession of a midfield maestro like Emmanuel Petit. They need to be cherished when they arrive because they usually become one of the lucky generations to own them.
Unlike Arteta, Klopp spoke out harshly in the full-time game and immediately felt that two opportunities to make his mark had been missed: successive draws with Manchester United and Arsenal were worth four points.
On reflection, he said: he will be more delighted that his team has kept pace with a team that is a year ahead of Liverpool in its development. And in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Salah, he has the game-changing magic wand in his right and left boots that will keep Liverpool in contention.
However, what is most encouraging is that Van Dijk remains the same player he has been since signing, with last season's failure being an exception due to a variety of circumstances. There is still an element of surprise in Liverpool challenging for the title with a revamped midfield. When you consider Van Dijk's influence, it won't be a shock.
As always, the main contenders for this year's Footballer of the Year award tend to be the creators and goalscorers. If Arsenal or Liverpool come out wide, the Lynx should be at their defensive lead; those who create safety turn narrow defeats into draws or draws into late victories.
Suffice it to say that to the naked eye, even Saliba and Van Dijk's quick dash to the line would look more like an elegant jog. When the smaller centre-backs play at full strength, they almost match the pace of Saliba and Van Dijk's warm-up.
Arsenal left Merseyside so optimistic because Saliba, more than anyone else, was not caught in that «wash» «at Anfield. car” is so cool that even his T-shirt won’t need it.
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