I haven’t posted for a while about Liverpool, which is very strange considering my favorite football club has won their first league title in 30 years.

It was a special moment that happened under special circumstances, but I was so burnt out waiting for the restart that all I could be thinking was “Thank God it wasn’t voided”. Plus the end of the season felt very odd, and I wasn’t paying much attention to the actual level of play, just wanting that season to be over.

The results were not the best at the end, but now it’s a clean slate. First game comes early, against Arsenal, who made a habit out of grabbing FA cups lately. Interesting test after just two friendly matches. A thrashing of Jurgen’s favorite club Stuttgart and a comeback draw against semi-finalists RB Leipzig.

What else to say before the match? I like Arsenal’s white kit, it looks stylish. What I don’t like is Mo Salah’s new haircut. Doesn’t look as gangsta is it did before, why did you trim those sides, Mo? 

The lineups are nothing special. Trent has a knock, Hendo, Matip and Xherdan (sure he is) are still injured. Some people say Divock has that virus, hopefully that’s just some speculations. Keita doesn’t get a start despite having a kickass end of a season and some good friendly matches. One the bench we have some lad named Billy Koumetio. He’s 17 years old and 195 cm long, sheesh… Leaped other youngsters for the 4th centre back choice by the looks of things, but I doubt that he will get minutes tonight.

Would like to see the Championship sensation Rhian Brewster get a run out, the boy is good. (This aged like milk!)

The game started with a quick goal from Big Virg, although the score stayed 0-0 because van Dijk was offside. He has a busted eyebrow after a collision in the last friendly match, RB was playing dirty there. Arsenal has changed their philosophy quite a bit and are playing with a new low block formation for some time, which makes it tougher to break them up and gives them a lot of space for counter attacks.

One such attack broke out quicker than COVID, Saka switched the ball to the right flank where Aubameyang capitalized on Neco’s positional mistake. A good shot – a good goal, can’t blame Alisson there. Auba payed homage to Mr. Black Panther.

Neco played a bid first half, looking short of breath on the flank. Lots of free space between him and Joe, playing a high line with them and without Hendo is super risky. On the other side of the pitch Saka created 3 or 4 good chances for his partners, I wonder if he will be put on the bench with Willian’s arrival. That would be a shame…

Not much has happened in the first half, with Robertson, Milner and Mane having most of the ball. Constant crosses do not work here, and the set piece threat is not as evident without our wonderboy Double A.

Felt like checking the comment in half time, and people call for Thiago ASAP, underlining how invisible Gini has been in the first 45 minutes. I agree, but we have Naby lad on the bench right now. Later in the second half he subs Millie and yes, creates a lot of chances driving right at the defence. He changed the game, stepping on the pitch with Taki Minamino, who went on to score his first goal in the official match for LFC.

I hope it gives him some much needed confidence, and this is a sign of things to come. There was a question of handball, but VAR decided there was none.

Arsenal started playing more in the last fifteen minutes, giving LFC more room to breathe, but it all went down to pens. Rhian was brought in for Gini with one minute left, shame James did not play until the end to score one. Well, this sub wasn’t for nothing.

Rhain missed the third pen, and was the only one to not score in the series. Alisson didn’t get close to any of the shots, and that was it. Aubameyang brings the Community Shield to Arteta, congratulations to the Gunners.  

Not a good result, and you would think LFC would have enough quality to beat this Arsenal side, no disrespect. Last year we also missed out on this prize, but the season turned out great at the end.