Sir Alex Ferguson once galvanised Manchester United for victory with a team-talk that stretched no further than: “Lads, it’s Tottenham.” The same brutally dismissive thought may have crossed Jürgen Klopp’s mind before Liverpool destroyed their north London rivals. The Liverpool manager chose the perfect day and the perfect opponent to rest his first-choice goalkeeper. His second choice enjoyed a day of rest too, although Loris Karius was on the pitch against Arsenal.
Any misgivings or judgment on Klopp’s decision to give Simon Mignolet a day off was postponed by yet another anaemic Arsenal performance at Anfield, where they have conceded 17 goals on their last five visits. Familiar failings from familiar faces made a mockery of claims of change at the Emirates Stadium. So much for the Liverpool manager’s risk. Karius, Mignolet’s replacement for one Premier League game only, did not have a save to make against an abject opponent. The only threats to the Germany Under-21 international came when he had the ball at his feet.
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