Reaction as Liverpool replace Arsenal in top four
Got a TV Licence?
Find out moreSummary
- Liverpool move to third; Arsenal drop to fifth
- Firmino & Mane gave Liverpool 2-0 lead; Welbeck pulls one back
- Wijnaldum's late strike finishes off Gunners
- Sanchez came off bench at half-time for Coquelin
Live Reporting
By Neil Johnston
All times stated are UK
Get involved
Running order
Match of the Day
Here's the order you'll see the games in when you tune into Match of the Day tonight at 22:20 GMT on BBC One (23:10 GMT in Scotland):
Liverpool v Arsenal
Swansea v Burnley
Leicester v Hull
Watford v Southampton
Manchester United v Bournemouth
West Brom v Crystal Palace
Stoke v Middlesbrough
Goodbye
It's time to say goodbye after another action-packed day near the top of the Premier League.
Liverpool climb from fifth to third, Arsenal drop from fourth to fifth while Manchester City, who didn't kick a ball, fall from third to fourth.
But some things never change. Manchester United stay sixth.
Thanks for your company. I'm going to leave you with the Match of the Day running order. It's a must-see. Until next time...
'We have not played for a while'
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Arsenal
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, speaking to BBC Sport: "Our performance was not at the level we expect in the first half but that is down to a lack of rhythm, we have not played for a while.
"Sanchez is a great player, he came on in the second half but in the second half it was easier for the strikers because we were much more dominant in midfield and the back. The collective response was very strong in the second half."
'The title is out of reach'
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Arsenal keeper Petr Cech: "We were more aggressive after the break and started winning the 50-50 battles. It's disappointing when you lose the game, but more disappointing conceding the first two goals because we weren't in danger.
"With three points we would have been in the chase for the title, but now we're too far. We need to ensure that we finish as high as possible and in the top four."
'Mignolet saved our lives'
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
More from Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking to BBC Sport: "All of them played a fantastic game. When we are compact it's fantastic. Adam Lallana can come out of the formation and trigger something. Being compact and stable is the basis of each good display.
"We knew Arsenal would bounce back in the second half. Alexis Sanchez is the highest quality player and plays different to Danny Welbeck. Simon Mignolet saved our lives.
"It's important to go back to fourth above Arsenal. We really felt bad last week, we needed a few days to understand what happened."
'Roller coaster'
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Liverpool
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was one of the best games we have played so far because the strength and the line-up of opponent.
"We did really well. We had hard words after the defeat at Leicester. We analysed it and that wasn't enjoyable.
"We had another opportunity and we took it today. It's the roller coaster of the Premier League. It's not always going up."
"What do you want to do learn first - be consistent or beat the best teams in the world? We all know what we did last week and how we played. It's not usual to come back like this. We know what we need to work on.
Facebook Live Q&A
Our chief football writer Phil McNulty is at Anfield and he's live on Facebook taking your questions after a big win for Liverpool, but a chastening defeat for Arsenal.
BBC Sport app users may have to follow the link to view the content.
'Liverpool need greater squad depth'
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
David Thompson
Former Liverpool midfielder on BBC Radio Merseyside
If you look at this Liverpool squad, it is generally a Brendan Rodgers squad with only two or three that Jurgen Klopp has signed himself.
The reason why Liverpool are not closer to Chelsea is the squad depth. If Liverpool get Champions League football that would be a great thing as they have not strengthened in January.
They have a few square pegs in round holes.
'Cheap goals'
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Arsenal
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, speaking to BT Sport: "We had problems getting into the rhythm of the first half.
"We conceded cheap goals - direct balls from the goalkeeper and you do not expect that in a game like this but we came back in the second half, responded well, but didn't perform at our level in the first half."
Did not starting Alexis Sanchez backfire? "I felt the strikers suffered in the first half and we didn't dominate in the midfield. It is always debatable."
Out of the top four battle? "It is a possibility to be in it as well so let's focus on that."
'We are still learning'
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Liverpool
Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana, speaking to BT Sport: "We went in at half time 2-0 up and were pleased with our performance.
"But it shows that in this game you can't take anything for granted. We had to dig in at 2-1.
"We are still young and still feel we are learning. Of course we are disappointed with how inconsistent we have been since Christmas but it is up to us to put that right."
'Great response'
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Liverpool striker Sadio Mane, speaking to BT Sport: "The most important thing is the reaction to losing and we reacted today and got the three points. The performance of the team was great.
"We work together as a team, we were compact from the beginning until the end and we are happy to win."
'Monster win'
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
David Thompson
Former Liverpool midfielder on BBC Radio Merseyside
A much-needed win for Liverpool. That has just kept Liverpool's season on track.
That was a cup final, and they have another 11 cup finals until the end of the season to stay in this position.
Liverpool have to just keep scoring the goals and maintain the positive goal difference over Arsenal and Manchester United. You have to make the players believe they can get second place. That was a monster win, a monumental win, and Jurgen Klopp will be delighted.
Match of the Day
Want to know the Match of the Day running order?
Gary Lineker is talking you through it on Facebook Live. Watch the programme at 22.20 GMT on BBC One (23:10 GMT in Scotland).
BBC Sport App users may need to follow the link to view the content.
'Wenger needs to look at himself'
#bbcfootball
Nick Hughes: Great by Liverpool. Fantastic patience by Lallana. Cute finish too by Gini. Perfect counter.
Ben Rabinovich: What an embarrassment. Only Sanchez and Mustafi played well. Iwobi played like a kid, Xhaka isn't improving (£37m?)
Niall: If Liverpool played the top six every week, they would win the league. If they played the bottom six, they would get relegated.
Gary West: Wenger really needs to take a look at himself right now, Leicester had the guts to make the call.
'Arsenal were tactically naive'
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
David Thompson
Former Liverpool midfielder on BBC Radio Merseyside
Liverpool have to concentrate until the end of the season and learn their lessons from earlier on. Just because they have slipped up against lower-placed teams earlier this season, it doesn't mean they will continue to do that.
Arsenal were tactically naive, they came with the wrong team selection and it puts more pressure on Arsene Wenger.
Time running out?
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Is Arsene Wenger's time running out?
Stick with us for all the reaction from both camps.
Unbeaten against the top six
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Liverpool's results against the top six this season:
v Arsenal 4-3 (away) + 3-1 (home) wins.
v Man Utd 0-0 (home) + 1-1 (away).
v Spurs 1-1 (away) + 2-0 (home) win.
v Chelsea 2-1 (away) win + 1-1 (home).
v Man City 1-0 (home) win.
Liverpool up to third
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Liverpool
What a response by Liverpool after the criticism of Monday's shocker against managerless Leicester.
This result is bound to prompt further questions about Arsene Wenger's future.
While Liverpool climb to third in the table, Arsenal slip outside the top four.
Worrying times for the Gunners.
FULL-TIME - Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Wijnaldum seals victory
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Mayhem at Anfield as Georginio Wijnaldum seals victory after a sweeping move - Adam Lallana releasing Divock Origi whose cross is struck low and hard into the corner of the net. Wijnaldum took that so well.
GOAL - Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Georginio Wijnaldum
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
How much will Arsene Wenger regret leaving out Alexis Sanchez? He probably won't admit it. But that decision looks to have cost Arsenal judging by the impact Sanchez has made this half.
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Adam Lallana has been immense for Liverpool today and he is using all his experience to eat up some precious seconds. He wins his side a free-kick which has Arsene Wenger flinging his arms in the air.
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
The Kop finds its voice once again. They are roaring Liverpool home.
This will be a huge win for Jurgen Klopp if his players can get over the line. Arsenal are dropping out of the top four as it stands.
HITS THE WOODWORK
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Divock Origi is denied by a post after the substitute gets his head on the end of James Milner's delicious free-kick.
Liverpool fans are not celebrating yet. Arsenal have five minutes plus stoppage time to find the second goal they have been threatening.
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
A tale of two halves this but Liverpool are eight minutes from three crucial points.
Get Involved
#bbcfootball
Joe Mansfield: How many times have Arsenal only shown up in the second half this season? With 12 days off, you'd think they could plan for 90 mins.
Johnny Magrinho: This game could easily end 4-4. The one thing that worries me is Walcott's fresh legs. He could do quite the number on Milner.
Peter Collins: Arsenal to go for the England vs Wales approach. Put every forward in the squad on the pitch and hope!
SUBSTITUTION
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Emre Can was hurt in that challenge but is back on the pitch for the last 10 minutes. So too is Divock Origi for Philippe Coutinho who has been excellent.
YELLOW CARD
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Theo Walcott is taken out in full flight. But was it Emre Can, who has already been booked, or Joel Matip?
Robert Madley reaches for his pocket and books...Granit Xhaka. Presumably that was for dissent. Xhaka has had a shocker today.
CLOSE!
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Liverpool so very nearly get the goal they need to ease nerves around Anfield. Joel Matip with a close range glancing header which forces Petr Cech to fling himself across his line to keep out.
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck are the players to make way. Will Arsenal's latest substitutes have the same impact as Alexis Sanchez?
SUBSTITUTION
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
You are 2-1 down but look the more threatening. Who do you bring on with around 20 minutes to go?
In Arsenal's case it is Theo Walcott and Lucas Perez.
The Gunners are throwing everything at this.
'Arsenal have the quality'
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
David Thompson
Former Liverpool midfielder on BBC Radio Merseyside
Liverpool have to be a bit more streetwise and waste some time. This game could still go either way as Arsenal have the quality to get the equaliser.
YELLOW CARD
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Emre Can takes out Alexis Sanchez with a cynical challenge which earns the Liverpool player a yellow card.
Arsenal look a much better team and it requires a finely timed headed clearance by Joel Matip to stop Olivier Giroud from getting on the end of Shkodran Mustafi's cross.
'Liverpool have to show more resilience'
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
David Thompson
Former Liverpool midfielder on BBC Radio Merseyside
Arsenal look confident now. Alexis Sanchez looks head and shoulders above everybody else and I can't figure out why he didn't start.
Every time he gets the ball he attracts four or five Liverpool players around him and his quality is there for everyone to see.
Liverpool have to show more resilience. This is a huge three points for them if they manage to hold on and it could turn their season around.
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
This is a crucial period of the game - and it could have huge implications on the rest of the season.
Liverpool have gone into their shells since Welbeck's goal. The Gunners are playing the kind of attacking football we are used to seeing from them.
Get Involved
#bbcfootball
Purple Tentacle: All the last five minutes have shown is that Sanchez is now more important to Arsenal than Wenger is. Transfer of power?
Jaime Dodd: Wenger questions why at 67 people question his ability to manage, perhaps don't leave your best player on the bench.
Mat VP: You take off Coquelin and....erm yeah. Someone want to get rid of him. Seriously we will pay you to take him to your club?
Arsenal revived by Sanchez
Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield
Arsenal looking a completely different proposition with Alexis Sanchez on the pitch - who would have thought that?
Anfield, so relaxed as Liverpool dominated those first 45 minutes, is suddenly tense.
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Arsenal have their tails up but clever work by Philippe Coutinho almost leads to a third Liverpool goal and Shkodran Mustafi is forced to stick out a foot which sends the ball just over his own bar.
'A lovely ball through'
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
David Thompson
Former Liverpool midfielder on BBC Radio Merseyside
You can't give Alexis Sanchez an inch, he has so many goals and assists and what a lovely ball through for Danny Welbeck.
I've got no criticism for Simon Mignolet, it was just a really good finish. It will be interesting to see how Liverpool react now.
We knew there would be some reaction from Arsenal and this will tell us a lot about Liverpool now.