No regrets: Arsene Wenger defends Alexis Sanchez gamble after defeat by Liverpool

Liverpool, who climb to third place, took nine minutes to score the opening goal in an effort to maintain their record of not having lost to a team now in the top half of the Premier League this season.

Arsene Wenger says that Arsenal lost away at Everton and Man City because they were too passive after going ahead.

A brace from Jamie Vardy and a stunning strike from Danny Drinkwater sealed a comfortable win for the relegation-threatened side, with Philippe Coutinho’s consolation the only moment of cheer for the Liverpool faithful.

Klopp’s preferred 4-3-3 formation has been excellent against the rest of the current top six – in eight matches this season against Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United, Liverpool have won four and drawn four. But things didn’t quite go to plan: the Reds put in a limp display and allowed the demob-happy Foxes to record their first win this year. Sadio Mane doubled the lead in the 40th minute and the Gunners couldn’t complete a second-half comeback despite playing much better after the break. “We’ve chosen another way but it’s still part of the deal and we know that we have to keep on going – and we will”.

“We are the roller coaster”.

Liverpool substitute Divock Origi could have sealed it with a header against a post, but did provide the added-time cross for Wijnaldum to sidefoot home and settle the home side’s nerves.

The Chilean global was introduced at half time with the visitors trailing 2-0, and while he showed the difference he makes nearly immediately with an assist for Danny Welbeck’s strike, by then the damage was done and Arsenal slumped to a defeat.

“A decision like that is not easy to make”, Wenger said, “but you have to stand up for it”.

Both of these sides tend towards the overs: 68% of Arsenal’s games have gone past the 2.5-goal mark, as have 58% of Liverpool’s. “With concentration, dedication and determination – along with a little bit of luck, which is always needed when you play them – we can get a result”, Bilic told reporters on Thursday.

“We could have done with one or two players in January, when we had injury problems and the Africa Cup, but the transfer window didn’t give us any opportunity”.

“But there was a point in the week that we had to finish with the Leicester game”.

Petr Cech said Arsenal were not as organised as they should have been against Liverpool.

“If he starts, then we could have already a better solution from the beginning”. “It’s the same up at the top with five clubs … they still think they have a chance to catch Chelsea if they slip and you can slip in every game”.