Three things we learnt from Liverpool’s comprehensive win over Arsenal

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Dropping Alexis Sanchez is a risk that Arsene Wenger cannot afford to take

There is no doubting that one of the most decisive moments of the game came at 16:30 when the team sheets were handed into referee Bobby Madley with one shock – Alexis Sanchez on the bench for the visitors.

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The news was likely as big a surprise to his Arsenal teammates as it was to fans and the opposition, with Liverpool seemingly buoyed in confidence by Wenger’s bizarre call and utilising that to really take the game to the Gunners in the first half with fast, flowing, attacking football.

The difference in Arsenal’s performance after Sanchez’s half-time introduction was remarkable, with pace and confidence going forwards that was beyond their wildest dreams based on a woeful first half performance. The Chilean nearly brought his side back into the game, but to handicap himself in such a way was madness from Arsene Wenger.