Gary Neville was critical of the part Aaron Ramsdale played in Diogo Jota’s goal during Liverpool’s 2-0 Premier League win at Arsenal, speaking on Sky Sports (16 March, 9pm).
In the space of a few second-half minutes, Thiago Alcantara set up two glorious opportunities with a pair of pin-point through balls. Yes, he only intended one of them, but the point still stands.
And, in the end, it was a tale of two goalkeepers at the Emirates. One good, one, well, not bad exactly. But one who will certainly be left with a nagging feeling of regret, eating away at the back of his mind.
At one end, Alisson Becker stood tall and kept out Martin Odegaard, sparing Thiago’s blushes. At the other, well, lets just say this was not a moment Ramsdale will be all-too keen to watch again in a hurry.
As Thiago bisected a hitherto formidable Arsenal backline, Diogo Jota raced in and lashed a shot through the in-form goalkeeper and in at the near post.
And while Ramsdale cannot be expected to shoulder all of the blame – Cedric too found himself in Neville’s firing line – the fact remains that this was a big moment in a big game.
A moment that went against Arsenal. A moment that swung the momentum in the visitor’s favour.
Is Aaron Ramsdale to blame?
“Cedric, the full-back, becomes detached from Ben White. He goes out towards (Andrew) Robertson and he shouldn’t do that. The danger is Jota,” Neville said.
“However, that has got to be saved. Ramsdale’s taken a lot of the praise in the last few weeks but that’s really poor goalkeeping. Just goes through his hand.
“Big moment at one end. That save (from Alisson) crucial. And then, (Ramsdale), just not good enough.”
Roberto Firmino’s beautifully-crafted second – his ninth career goal against Arsenal – meant all the good work Mikel Arteta’s side put in against the Premier League challengers counted for nothing in the end.
Gabriel Martinelli’s magic. Alexandre Lacazette’s prodigious work-rate, Thomas Partey’s best performance in some time. All overshadowed by Liverpool’s ruthless efficiency.
History, as they say, is written by the victors and it was Liverpool who triumphed at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
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