In the 20th round of the Premier League, the clash between two long-standing rivals, Manchester United and Liverpool, ended in a 2-2 draw.
Despite playing as the away team, Manchester United managed to hold Liverpool to a draw, who had previously maintained an unbeaten record of 23 matches, extending their own "undefeated" streak.
Honestly, the result of this match was quite unexpected - Manchester United was once considered the "unlucky one" of the season, with their ranking steadily declining, to the point where even teams from the lower half of the table looked down on them.
As for Liverpool, they were determined to win, but unexpectedly received a harsh "favor" from the Red Devils.
The focus of the match must be mentioned, Liverpool's right-back, Arnold.
His performance on the field was nothing short of disastrous, especially in defense, where he seemed to be involved in almost every goal conceded.
For a player known as an "all-rounder," Arnold's performance last night was truly disappointing, as if he had handed over his defensive duties to the wind.
Liverpool's two conceded goals were directly related to Arnold's defensive shortcomings.
During the match, even Van Dijk couldn't help but shake his head at Arnold, who appeared to be a mere "passerby," with poor positioning and slow reactions, giving Manchester United ample space for their attacks.
What's even more concerning is that Arnold's mind seems to have already wandered away from Liverpool.
Recent rumors about him and Real Madrid have been rampant, leading many to speculate whether he has set his sights on the Spanish "Galactic Battleship."
If Arnold has completely lost his focus on the field, it might have something to do with these rumors.
Look at a player who is already a core member of the team, yet appears distracted in such an important match.
Some netizens commented: "Arnold's recent form is not like he's playing for Liverpool; he looks more like a player preparing to leave. Watching him play, there's no sense of fighting for the club; he's completely absent-minded." This is indeed true; Arnold's state is a harbinger of "running away from home."
The next four matches will be a severe test for Liverpool, especially during this period when they have three away games to play. Although there is one FA Cup match that can provide some respite, the upcoming league matches against Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, and Brentford will be crucial in determining whether they can bounce back.
Whether Arnold can adjust his mentality and rediscover his form will directly determine whether Liverpool can stabilize their ranking or even continue their title challenge.
Some netizens pointed out: "Honestly, Liverpool's problems are not just with Arnold; the team's overall state is somewhat lax. Especially with the absence of Sobol in midfield, the connection in attack has been completely disrupted, and Jones' performance has also been disappointing. At this time, Arnold should step up and take responsibility instead of focusing on transfer matters." This is also true; Liverpool's loss of points is not just a defensive issue; the lack of organization in their overall attack has significantly reduced the team's performance.
What's even more worrying is that Liverpool's owner, Fenway, doesn't seem to attach much importance to renewing contracts with the team's core players.
Salah, Van Dijk, and Arnold, these three key players, have yet to receive new contracts.
For a club, the owner's attitude towards renewing contracts with these key players directly affects the players' mentality and the team's stability.
If players like Salah and Van Dijk feel neglected, it goes without saying how Arnold's mentality would be affected.
If Liverpool truly wants to maintain their competitiveness in the second half of the season, their management may need to seriously re-evaluate these issues.
The "neglect" of Arnold could become a turning point in the team's season.
If owner Fenway does not quickly resolve these core players' renewal issues, Liverpool's future may pay the price for this "arbitrariness."
Speaking of Arnold, many people mention that his ability is unquestionable.
However, no matter how strong one's ability is, if the mentality is wrong, it can only lead to a "high start and low finish."
He was once the hope of Liverpool, but now he has become a burden.
Everyone knows that his offensive performance is quite outstanding, but defense has always been his weakness.
The problem lies in the fact that defense is not just about technique; it's more about a sense of responsibility.
If a player shows an attitude of "I don't want to defend" on the field, the entire team's defense will suffer, especially in high-intensity matches like these.
The result of this draw has left many fans uneasy, especially regarding Arnold's state and mentality, which may continue to be a potential hazard in the upcoming matches.
If they don't quickly adjust their state, they might really suffer a "fatal blow" on the road to the championship.
The management's attitude towards renewing contracts with core players, especially their plans for Arnold's future, may be the key to whether Liverpool can stabilize their title momentum this season.