Arsenal headed into the match knowing they needed a win to keep some much-needed distance between themselves and Manchester City, who picked up a win on Saturday to reduce the gap atop of the table to just five points.
As for Liverpool, their Champions League hopes are all but gone but they will still no doubt want Europa League football next term.
The Reds kicked off sat 8th in the league, four points off 6th place. However, they did have two games in hand on both Aston Villa and Brighton, with one of those matches vs Arsenal.
So, Liverpool really need a win to keep the pressure on in the hunt for 6th.
At the time of writing, Arsenal are 1-0 up thanks to a Gabriel Martinelli goal eight minutes in.
Martin Odegaard’s pass to Bukayo Saka was deflected to Gabriel Martinelli by Virgil van Dijk before the Brazilian stabbed an effort past Alisson.
Just some of the reaction to Van Dijk for his display vs Arsenal so far can be seen below:
Van Dijk used to get Maldini comparisons btw…
— 🇨🇴 (@mcfcDJ) April 9, 2023
That Van Dijk assist 😍😍. Thank you
— Raja (@rajaafc10) April 9, 2023
Virgil Van Dijk is a £15Million player.
— ChaskaKopite17🔴 (@ChaskaKopite17) April 9, 2023
This goal is too cheap
Van Dijk should do better— Abdulmaleek (@Marleak02) April 9, 2023
van dijk is iñ absolutely horrible form
— James (@James232711) April 9, 2023
Van Dijk is just about as good as Amartey
— Kini🕉️ (@lcfckini) April 9, 2023
Without a proper midfield both Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander Arnold have been badly exposed this season.
— 202? (@Subhash_ati9) April 9, 2023
Van Dijk is really finished.
— Temi (@babamiseyi) April 9, 2023
