Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points, Premier League 2018-19

#4 Torreira has a rare bad day at the office

Torreira looked off colour at Anfield

Arsenal travelled to Liverpool’s fortress knowing that they were short-handed defensively. Hence, the onus fell on Arsenal’s midfielders and in particular, Lucas Torreira, to shield the goal from Liverpool's irresistible attacking force. However, the Uruguayan failed to do so and the Gunners found themselves on the wrong end of a pasting.

A lot of the Gunners’ successes this season have been built upon Torreira’s tenacity and drive in the middle of the park. The diminutive midfielder has been a bundle of energy which has led to Arsenal dominating games in the middle of the park.

A trip down memory lane would tell us that the last time these sides met, Torreira was absolutely immense and thus, Liverpool failed to bulldoze their way through midfield. However, at Anfield, players regularly whizzed past the Uruguayan with Firmino giving him a torrid time.

Torreira is a top-notch player and has displayed his qualities on numerous occasions this season. Thus, one can expect him to be back to his best once 2019 rolls in. Though it would be a little far-fetched to brand Arsenal a one-man time, it surely can’t be a coincidence that they fold like a pack of cards when Torreira is not on song.

For all of Torreira’s qualities, he might just have made the Gunners over-reliant on him. And if Arsenal harbour any hopes of making the top four, it is imperative that they cope better when Torreira is off the mark.