English heavyweights, Liverpool survived an Arsenal barrage to secure a place for themselves in the FA Cup fourth round in dramatic fashion as two late goals secured a gritty 2-0 win on Sunday night.
Africa Today News, New York reports that Jurgen Klopp’s side rode their luck for long spells as Arsenal wasted a series of chances to take the lead at the Emirates Stadium.
Gunners defender Jakub Kiwior headed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free-kick into his own net with 10 minutes left and Luis Diaz wrapped up the smash-and-grab raid in stoppage-time.
But in the absence of ill Liverpool centre-back Virgil Van Dijk, Arsenal poured forward in the first half.
Martin Odegaard should have rewarded the Gunners for their vibrant start, but the midfielder blasted his shot off the bar from 12 yards.
Arteta’s men were carving Liverpool open at will and Ben White’s thunderous strike from just inside the area forced a superb tip-over from Alisson Becker.
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By the time Havertz wasted two good opportunities in quick succession, Arteta must have feared Arsenal would pay for their profligacy.
Arteta held his head in frustration as Bukayo Saka volleyed over from a dangerous position before Alisson made a finger-tip save from Kai Havertz’s deflected cross.
Liverpool finally came to life and Luis Diaz’s snap-shot was well saved by Ramsdale, while Diogo Jota hit the woodwork.
In the 80th minute, Alexander-Arnold’s corner was headed into his own net by Kiwior and Diaz sealed the win in the final seconds of stoppage time as he took Jota’s pass and fired home from 10 yards.
In another report, Pep Guardiola lauded Kevin De Bruyne as a “unique” talent after the Belgian playmaker’s return to action in Manchester City’s FA Cup rout of Huddersfield.
The Belgium international came on as a 57th-minute substitute and set up a goal as the holders cruised to a 5-0 win over second-tier strugglers Huddersfield in a thoroughly lopsided clash at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
This was De Bruyne’s first senior appearance since tearing his hamstring during City’s Premier League opener against Burnley in August.