Liverpool despair as ever-reliable duo Alisson and Virgil van Dijk gift Arsenal goal as title race slips

Liverpool's title hopes suffered a potentially crucial blow with a 3-1 defeat, and it all came down to two of their most trusted stalwarts.

With the score 1-1 against Arsenal And the Reds started the second half well, a hopeful ball over the top causing all sorts of problems.

Virgil van Dijk allowed the ball to bounce and then tried to block Gabriel Martinelli's run to Alicia Becker to sweep

However, the opposite happened in a scene of complete malfunction, and the ball ended up straight at Martinelli's feet to slot into an open goal.

Debate raged over who was to blame, with former Chelsea and Arsenal defender Scott Minto placing the blame squarely at the goalkeeper's feet.

“The ball was played and Van Dijk arrived first, but Alisson came off,” the talkSPORT commentator said.

“Alisson has to take control of the situation, he has completely overtaken the ball.

“From a defender's point of view, what you want is for the goalkeeper to take control of the situation, shout to get out of the way, in the end Alisson has done nothing and Van Dijk is out of the game.

“Martinelli will never score an easier goal in his career.”

The goal turned out to be crucial later Liverpool somehow managed to draw level after a terrible opening 45.

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Bukayo Saka He opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Gabriel Magalhaes converted a pass from Luis Díaz into his own goal.

Martinelli then scored the decisive goal, before Leandro Trossard, following a red card from Ibrahima Konate, scored between Alisson's legs on a forgettable night for the Brazilian.

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