Hendrick: Arsenal Win Means Little, Liverpool Still in Control | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Title Charge: Panic Unwarranted Despite Arsenal’s Hype

Arsenal’s Win Over Real Madrid Doesn’t Signal a Title Surge

In the latest Daily Red podcast, Dave Hendrick delivered a firm message to Liverpool supporters fearing Arsenal’s late-season push: calm down. Despite Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Real Madrid, Hendrick pointed out the flaws in reading too much into the result.

“They beat Real Madrid because Declan Rice scored two incredible free kicks,” he explained. “Declan Rice could play the rest of his career and in every single game have free kicks in exactly those positions and the chances of him scoring one, let alone both, would be very low.”

Hendrick highlighted that this Madrid side isn’t one to be revered. “This is not a vintage Real Madrid. This is the Real Madrid that we wiped the floor with.” He ran through a list of poor results from the Spanish giants this season, including a home loss to Valencia and draws against relegation-threatened sides.

Liverpool’s League Form Stronger Than Fans Admit

Despite nerves among the Anfield faithful, Hendrick reminded listeners that Liverpool are top of the league and have suffered just two defeats all season. “We’ve only had one bad result which is a 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United,” he stated. “Objectively speaking, that is our only flat-out bad result this season in the league.”

He added that the Reds’ other dropped points – including draws against Arsenal, Newcastle, and Fulham with ten men – weren’t signs of collapse. “You need to separate performance from results,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of bad performances… but only one bad result.”

Upcoming Fixtures Favour Liverpool

Looking ahead, Hendrick pointed out that Liverpool’s next three league games are against struggling sides – West Ham (16th), Leicester (19th), and Tottenham (14th). “This is one of the easier stretches of our entire season,” he stressed.

Discussing West Ham’s recent form, he noted, “Three wins in the last 12 games… what is it from these last 12 games that gives you the impression that this West Ham team are going to beat us?”

On Leicester: “Eight straight defeats. Leicester didn’t score any goals in these eight games.”

And regarding Tottenham, Hendrick was cutting: “Since mid-December, they’ve won four Premier League matches from the last 16 games. What is it that you’re seeing that makes you think they’re beating us?”

Confidence in Core Players, Despite Trent Uncertainty

Addressing the contract situations, Hendrick shared optimism about Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. “It’s a matter of when, not if both Salah and Van Dijk sign,” he said, citing reports from David Ornstein.

While acknowledging the likely loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Hendrick prioritised the other two. “Trent is third on that list… From a now, next season, season after point of view… it’s easier to find a really good right back than a really good centre-back or winger.”

Liverpool supporters would do well to tune out the hysteria and trust in the team’s form, depth, and remaining fixture list. As Hendrick summarised, “If we win these three games, we will have the title wrapped up… and maybe then you can all take off your Depends and put back on normal underwear without the risk of soiling them.”