3 key lessons from Liverpool ahead of West Ham trip

3. The full-backs

Arsenal’s full-backs have been their secret weapon this season. Zinchenko averages the most touches per game in the team, and Ben White has become a complete full-back with a superb understanding with Saka and Saliba.

At Anfield, they were off. White got an early warning when he let Robertson in behind, and then Liverpool’s first goal came about because he had vacated his zone. That happened on several occasions throughout the game, especially after he was booked on 23 minutes. He never looked comfortable from that moment on. Against Man Utd, he was booked on 19 minutes, and again looked lost, but was hooked at half-time for Takehiro Tomiyasu.

On the left, Zinchenko was playing against Liverpool’s best player but was carried heavily by Gabriel who was immense. Defensively, he wasn’t as bad as some have suggested, but on the ball, he was absent by his standards. But, he is a strong-willed character and will bounce back stronger.

The good thing for Arsenal is they came away from the game with a point, their first at Anfield since 2016, and if they get the small things right, they will do serious damage at West Ham.