Liverpool beat Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium to secure a huge three points in the Premier League title race
Diogo Jota's breakthrough goal early in the second half was soon followed by a second from substitute Roberto Firmino to move Jurgen Klopp's side within a point of Manchester City
Arsenal had chances of their own, none clearer than when Martin Odegaard failed to beat Alisson Becker from point-blank range after Thiago Alcantara's sloppy back pass
But while the Liverpool goalkeeper kept that attempt out, Aaron Ramsdale should have done better than allow Jota's low shot to squeeze beyond him at his near post
It was tough on Mikel Arteta's team who started the game with real intensity, their performance featuring a standout display from Gabriel Martinelli on the left wing
But they were unable to turn their endeavour into goals and their winning run ends at five
 Liverpool's own sequence of consecutive victories now stands at nine - and counting
There was a time not so long ago when the absence of Mohamed Salah from the Liverpool starting line-up would have been cause for consternation but this squad is robust now
Having previously won without both him and Sadio Mane away on Africa Cup of Nations duty, Jota was able to score what turned out to be the winner here while Salah was sat on the bench
That Klopp could turn to Salah and Firmino moments later - with Firmino soon adding the second - highlights the depth that the Liverpool manager now has at his disposal
 Five top forwards
As Klopp celebrated with the away fans at full time, you could sense how big a result this was for Liverpool as they piled the pressure on leaders Manchester City
Hailing the magnitude of the win, the Liverpool boss told : "It's really special
 Coming here in our situation, and their situation, and not having a brilliant first half and then turning the game in the right direction is pretty special
"You have to be on your toes because they are a proper threat
"On the title race, he added: "We have had a good period
 We are one point behind but the only thing we can do is win football games
 No game is easy in this incredible league and we have to keep going
"The only thing I'm really interested in is how we can prepare for the next game, how we can get through this
 It's so difficult - I think it's game number 13 since we met Arsenal in the Carabao Cup
 For them it's seven - that's six more games for us
 We don't complain about it, we wanted it like this
 Let's see how it goes
"In 10 years, do you think somebody will say you should be proud [of finishing second by one point]? Probably not
 We know we have a special group here and we're trying to squeeze everything we can out of the situation
"Meanwhile, a clearly disappointed Arteta was proud of the performance of his players
"From box to box we were at least at their level or better," he told Sky Sports
 "But in the boxes, that's where they won the game
"We went toe to toe against the best team in the league right now and big credit to the players
"I want to win every football game, but I am very proud of the boys and the performance and the connection with the fans, they stayed with the players until the end
"I think it should make them realise there is another step and the gap is smaller
 I never seen an atmosphere like this (at the club), that's the reality
"When asked if his players can deal with pressure of competing for top four, he added: "I think they showed that tonight
"You could sense the excitement in the air before kick-off
There was a buzz, an anticipation as in-form Arsenal welcomed title challengers Liverpool
 After a run of five straight wins in the Premier League, were the Gunners finally ready to make a huge statement in the race for the top four?In the first half, that expectation rose as Arsenal caused Liverpool plenty of problems
 Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka looked real threats in behind Liverpool's high line
 However, Arsenal lacked a cutting edge with their final ball off all night
Then came the big moment
Early in the second half, Alexandre Lacazette pounced on Thiago's sloppy back pass before teeing up Martin Odegaard, who was denied by a crucial save from Alisson
Liverpool, who were never going to be as poor as they were in the first half, then showed how clinical you have to be in these big matches
 Where Alisson had come to Liverpool's rescue, could Aaron Ramsdale come to Arsenal's?Diego Jota's shot squeezed past him at the near post before Roberto Firmino's deft touch put the game to bed
Suddenly, the Emirates Stadium was flat
 The optimism was gone
The reality, it was another false dawn for Arsenal in terms of them challenging the big boys of the Premier League
 However, this result will not decide their top-four push
The Gunners are still in an extremely strong position in fourth, but now the real test comes
 Mikel Arteta will have to work hard to get a response from his side, starting at Aston Villa on Saturday as they bid to not let this result derail their Champions League push
Arsenal visit Aston Villa in the lunchtime match on Saturday, heading to Villa Park for a 12
30pm kick-off
 They're then on Monday Night Football after the international break on April 4 live on ; kick-off at 4
30pm
Liverpool are in FA Cup action this weekend, travelling to Nottingham Forest on Sunday night; kick-off at 6pm
 They then host Watford at Anfield after the international break on April 2, kick-off at 12
30pm, before their crunch title clash with Manchester City on April 10, live on from 4pm; kick-off at 4
30pm
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