Declan Rice: How Mohamed Salah, Alexander Arnold wasted brilliant chance vs Arsenal

It is still a mystery. A miss that will go down as one of the worst in Premier League history, given how the odds were in favour of the attacking side - Liverpool.

As Mohamed Salah, flanked by four Liverpool players, made a beeline towards Arsenal's goal on December 23 at Anfield, many people expected one outcome - a second goal for the hosts for them to lead for the very first time in the delicately balanced contest.

Jurgen Klopp's forward line rarely fluffs their line, especially when Salah is behind it. But as the Kop End cried in despair at the end of that move, it was a chance to reflect on whether Arsenal, if any, did anything to thwart the most promising attack of the contest.

Sports Brief breaks down the move bit by bit.

At this point, it is down to individual brilliance and a little bit of luck. Not even the greatest of managers like Pep Guardiola or Carlo Ancelotti can coach this.

1. Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko confusion

A Bukayo Saka corner for Arsenal is promptly cleared by Joe Gomez in the 71st minute. The rebound falls to Martin Odegaard, but miscommunication between him and Oleksandr Zinchenko sees the ball bounce and fall kindly to Salah, who is deep in his half and, therefore, no offside questions.

2. Mohamed Salah leads attack

The Egyptian picks up the ball, injects pace and makes way towards Arsenal's goal. He is centrally placed with Harvey Elliot, Ryan Gravenberch and Trent Alexander-Arnold quickly joining him from his right, with Darwin Nunez coming in from the left.

It is a classic five-against-two situation. The two for Arsenal are William Saliba, who is tussling with Nunez on Salah's left and Declan Rice, who was the last man as the corner was being taken. The Englishman is quickly backpeddling towards his goal as he watches Salah bear down at him all flanks ahead.

3. William Saliba vs Darwin Nunez

This is where Arsenal win the first battle. Saliba incredibly outpaces Nunez and cuts off the Uruguayan as a possible outlet for Salah to find.

Now, outpacing someone in football is not news. It gets interesting when you realise that Nunez is one of the fastest players in the division, according to data captured by the Premier League.

Additionally, he had just come on for the Reds and anyone would have backed him to beat Saliba in a foot race, but he didn't.

4. Declan Rice's Last Man Standing act

With Nunez as a possible pass cut off, Salah reassesses his options. The 31-year-old definitely backs himself to let fly from such a distance to catch David Raya, but he pushes the ball forward and looks at the three teammates on his right.

Rice has, this time, put himself in Salah's eyeline to thwart any attempt at goal from the forward himself. The former West Ham captain is back peddling in a zigzag fashion in a bid to ensure Salah's options are reduced. He eventually forces him to go wide.

Saliba has taken care of Nunez, but Mikel Arteta, like any Arsenal fan, is a worried man because Salah still has three options to pick from.

Rice shifts right

Salah lays the ball to the furthest of the three players on his right - Alexander Arnold. Only a few defenders strike the ball as sweetly as the fullback does. Rice has this time adjusted and makes a quick attempt to close TAA down. He doesn't, but Trent knows he has to hit the ball the first time. The third battle won.

How did that not go in?

Declan Rice appreciation post! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/tDWjgJT23m

— Bigwig Austin (@aai_austin) December 24, 2023

5. David Raya's positioning

Raya is practically helpless as Salah charges down to him. But once the ball is laid off to Trent, the Spanish goalkeeper doesn't commit immediately. He makes himself big, forcing Trent to go up. The fourth battle won.
You know how it goes. Trent crashes his effort on the crossbar and the Kop ring out a cry of despair. Chance gone.

On another day, Trent buries such a chance with no second invitation. It might have been luck on Arsenal's part and poor finishing on Liverpool's end, but one can't downplay the 'small' roles Rice's presence played in this phase of the attack.

That's what £105m is supposed to get you.

This sequence of play ????

Liverpool break swiftly, but it all ends with Trent Alexander-Arnold's effort crashing off the crossbar!#LIVARS pic.twitter.com/93UTzeQRKq

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 23, 2023