4 talking points from Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal

Arsenal have cranked up the pressure on league leaders Liverpool, closing the gap to just two points after beating the Reds 3-1 in Sunday's late-afternoon kick-off.

Liverpool fell behind after 14 minutes, with Bukayo Saka knocking in the rebound after Alisson initially denied Kai Havertz in a one-on-one scenario.

Despite being on the backfoot for the remainder of the first 45, the Reds found themselves on terms going into the break thanks to a Gabriel own goal.

However, Liverpool's downfall would come after the break as a cataclysmic mix-up between Alisson and Virgil van Dijk allowed Gabriel Martinelli to retrieve the ball and roll into an empty net, gifting Arsenal the lead.

As Jurgen Klopp's side struggled to find a way back into the game, things only got worse as Ibrahima Konate was sent off for a second bookable offence, before Leandro Trossard put the game to bed in stoppage time.

A second Premier League loss of the season, and in comes in the same neck of the woods as their first.

Here are four key talking points from the game.

Schoolboy stuff from the world's best

Alisson Becker is the best goalkeeper in the league, probably the world. Virgil van Dijk is the best defender in the league, probably the world.

Yet today, they combined to concede one of the most embarrassing goals you will ever see.

A complete mix-up at the back saw Van Dijk fail to deal with a lofted ball, letting it bounce before Alisson charged in, missed his kick and allowed Martinelli to roll the ball into an open net.

It would a pivotal moment in the game, shifting momentum fully back in Arsenal's favour, with the Gunners cruising to victory from then on in.

Fear we might be having nightmares about this in a few months time.

Trent stuffed in Bradley-shaped hole

After putting in a blinder in this exact fixture a month ago, Trent Alexander-Arnold looked a bit out of sorts this afternoon.

While he was coming back from an injury, his altered role would have definitely contributed to his iffy performance - with it appearing that he took on more of a wide-back role, perhaps meant for Conor Bradley.

Bradley was meant to start today, but would of course miss out due to the tragic passing of his father.

The late change in personnel compared to tactics gave Alexander-Arnold an uphill task, being forced to deal head-on with the electric Martinelli - a task he evidently struggled with.

Gravenberch ghosts again

Liverpool paid £35m for 21-year-old Ryan Gravenberch in the summer - and after a promising first couple cameos, his performances have really seen a drop off.

He's the only one of the midfield quartet signed last year that doesn't look to have settled too well, and that was reflected once again today as he put in another subpar performance.

Despite it being his lofted ball that set up the scrappiest of equalisers at the tail end of the first half, he was otherwise completely anonymous throughout and was unsurprisingly dragged after the break.

He's still so young and his ceiling has always been very high, so there's no point in writing him off. But it's clear that it's going to take some time and hard work before Liverpool see the best that Gravenberch has to offer.

Thiago sighting

This is not a drill.

Thiago Alcantara hadn't kicked a ball for Liverpool since April of last year, having undergone hip surgery and endured an arduous rehabilitation programme.

However, after entering the fray with five minutes to go as a substitute, Liverpool's Spanish maestro is officially back - barring any more unforeseen injuries.

Of course, it wasn't the return he would have dreamed of, coming on during one Liverpool's most shambolic performances of the season.

But nevertheless, Thiago brings that level of acumen and experience that few players in the world possess - and if we can get him up to speed (and crucially keep him fit), he could prove pivotal in this title race.