Salah's Double SendS Liverpool to the Top

One team spent the afternoon at Anfield battling for the Premiership's top spot.

The other team was Arsenal.

The Gunners traveled to Liverpool with a clear strategy of exploring counter-attacks. It had an early impact, but Joel Matip's header and Mohamed Salah's double gave the 'Pool a 3-1 victory that wasn't that close.

Substitute Lucas Torreira grabbed a lovely parting gift late in the match, but by that time, the only question left on the day was what in the world Udai Emery was doing.

 

No one was asking that about Jürgen Klopp. Der Dude does what he seemingly always does against Arsenal:

Swing the ball from one side to the other, figuring that sooner or later, his forwards will get behind the Gunner defense.

Somehow, Arsenal has yet to figure that out. Their diamond left the flanks open, and ultimately, the Reds' forwards took advantage.

 

Liverpool quickly set about high-pressing Arsenal's defense, which prevented the North Londoners to crack into their attacking half until the 10th minute. After that, the Gunners managed to launch a few threatening salvos at Adrían, mainly through Nicolas Pepe's pace.

Predictably, dudes wasted good chances.

Just when it seemed like the first half would end up goalless, Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner found Matip in the 41st minute, and the Reds were on the board:

 

After the break, the 'Pool was back at their early pressing, and Roberto Firmino's through-ball soon found Salah, where David Luiz grabbed his shirt inside the area.

That, of course, called for harsh action.

Salah himself stepped up to convert, a beautiful finish that slammed into the top corner:

 

Liverpool made it three in the 58th minute when Fabinho found Salah.

The Egyptian international sprinted by Luiz down the right side and powered through to fire home past Bernd Leno:

 

Arsenal's consolation goal came in the 85th minute when substitute Torreira was given a present by Liverpool's Jordan Henderson.

Christmas in August commenced from close range:

 

This put the 'Pool where they expected to be, at the Premiership's summit.

As to the Gunners, just like every other year, there's work to be done to take that final stride forward.