Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has revealed Liverpool’s ways to create “chaos” on the pitch, reflecting on the Gunners’ 1-1 draw at Anfield back in December.
Rice arrived at the Emirates in the summer of 2023 and quickly became an integral member of Mikel Arteta’s squad. The 25-year-old has made 48 appearances across all competitors this season, bagging six goals and nine assists.
But there is one game from the current campaign that Rice remembers more fondly than others, as he reflects back on Arsenal’s draw away at Anfield in an interview with The Athletic.
“The way [Liverpool] play, the football they play, it’s like a chaos game that they create,” Rice said. “Balls in behind from Trent Alexander-Arnold constantly, picking up the second balls, re-delivering, second phase, third phase, fourth phase – they’re just relentless at it.
“And at Anfield, especially the Kop end, goals get sucked in. But that game I absolutely loved. Oh, mate. It was crazy. Nuts.”
Performing for his team in big games has been a point of pride for Rice.
“In the big games against the big clubs, I’ve played really well and, as a club, we’ve collected a really good number of points in those matches,” Rice explained. “In those games, you always want to stand up and be counted.”
Since the December fixture, Arsenal have faced off against Liverpool twice, with one coming in the FA Cup. The Gunners have won one of these games against the Reds during the current campaign, with the victory being their most recent of the three in February, recording a 3-1 scoreline.
Arteta’s side continue to push for the Premier League title, whereas Liverpool have slipped away from the top of the table, sitting five points behind the leaders.