Jurgen Klopp hails Arsenal after riveting Liverpool draw as major Kostas Tsimikas injury confirmed

The Liverpool left-back suffered a serious collarbone injury
Jurgen Klopp was impressed by Arsenal's display at Anfield
Getty Images
Matt Verri23 December 2023

Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Arsenal after his Liverpool side played out an engrossing draw with the Gunners at Anfield.

Arsenal will be top of the Premier League at Christmas after picking up a point, though they were unable to end their 11-year winless run at the ground in the League.

Gabriel headed Mikel Arteta's side in front inside four minutes, but Mohamed Salah equalised before half-time and Trent Alexander-Arnold then wasted a huge chance to put Liverpool ahead after the break, smashing a strike against the bar after a swift counter-attack.

The draw leaves Liverpool second in the table, only one point off the Gunners, with Manchester City six points off the pace with a game in hand. The Liverpool boss was impressed with what he saw from Arsenal, as he predicted a tight title race.

"Oh my god, how strong are they? The good news is we are good as well," Klopp told BBC Sport.

Kostas Tsimikas wiped out his manager on the touchline
PA

He added: "City are a very good team as well, but Arsenal will be up there, we hope to be up there. We will really push them."

There was a major injury blow for Liverpool in the first-half, as Kostas Tsimikas was fouled by Bukayo Saka and collided into Klopp in the process.

The left-back was immediately brought off and Klopp has confirmed he is facing a lengthy spell out with a collarbone injury, leaving Liverpool further depleted with Andy Robertson still out after shoulder surgery.

"It was massively overshadowed by Kostas Tsimikas collarbone issue, definitely broken, so he is out for a long time," Klopp said.

"The other issues we will have to see. It is hard for us to swallow with the Robbo [Andy Robertson] situation."

Much of the build-up to the match was dominated by Klopp's criticism of the Anfield atmosphere during his side's midweek win over West Ham, as he called for the Liverpool fans to bring more noise against the Gunners.

On whether he got his wish, Klopp said: "Besides the injury, first and foremost I have to say, after what I said in the last week, thank you Anfield. That was exceptional."

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