Arsenal fans make outlandish claims on social media that Liverpool overwatered Anfield’s pitch ‘on purpose’ to slow down the Gunners… as they insist the playing surface was ‘DANGEROUS’ in Saturday’s 1-1 draw
- Arsenal fans said Liverpool beat Anfield internationally on Saturday
- Videos have emerged on social media showing players slipping away during the 1-1 draw.
- Chris Sutton says Jurgen Klopp is right to address his fans – It all begins
Arsenal fans have bizarrely claimed on social media that Liverpool deliberately flooded the Anfield pitch ahead of Saturday’s 1-1 draw.
Ahead of the game, both teams could go top of the Premier League if they picked up three points each.
Mikel Arteta’s side quickly seized the initiative as Gabriel put the visitors ahead just three minutes from time after Martin Odegaard headed in a free-kick.
Liverpool hit back before the break as Mohamed Salah scored his 16th goal of the season in all competitions to equalize.
Both sides were searching for a winner in a tense encounter riddled with controversy surrounding VAR’s complex challenges and decisions, but the game ultimately survived, even allowing the Gunners to maintain their place at the top of the table.
![Arsenal fans claim Liverpool deliberately flooded the Anfield pitch with water ahead of the 1-1 draw.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Arsenal-fans-make-outlandish-claims-on-social-media-that-Liverpool.jpg)
Arsenal fans claim Liverpool deliberately flooded the Anfield pitch with water ahead of the 1-1 draw.
![Videos posted on social media showed several players sliding across the playing surface.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1703424442_284_Arsenal-fans-make-outlandish-claims-on-social-media-that-Liverpool.jpg)
Videos posted on social media showed several players sliding across the playing surface.
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After the game, several Gunners fans made outlandish claims that the pitch was deliberately designed to make their players slippery.
Bukayo Saka appeared to slip while challenging Kostas Tsimikas, with the Greek defender breaking his collarbone after slipping out of play and colliding with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.
In an article on X, one Arsenal fan vehemently claimed that these conditions on the pitch were due to a deliberate attempt by Liverpool to stifle their style of play.
“We deliberately overdid it to slow down our game and adapt to their long passing tactics. Just watch how slowly the ball rolls.
“Every passing ball is slowed down and the dribble timing is off. The worst part is how dangerous it is for the players.”
The same user shared a video of Saka appearing to slip under pressure from Ryan Gravenberch, landing accidentally and subsequently crashing into the Dutch midfielder.
“We talk about player welfare and player protection. It could have ended in horror. Just look at Saki’s knee.
Another user agreed with the statement that this field state was intentional: “They did it on purpose.” They won’t be able to cope with our possession-based tactics.”
Meanwhile, another Arsenal fan made a bold statement, claiming that one side of the pitch was deliberately flooded with water to the detriment of the visitors:
They said: “The Anfield pitch has not been reduced since Wednesday evening. It was also heavily watered before the match, and at half-time the only side that was watered was the Anfield Road end…
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![Fans claimed that the playing surface was dangerous and designed to stifle Arsenal's style.](https://thewstnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1703424442_480_Arsenal-fans-make-outlandish-claims-on-social-media-that-Liverpool.jpg)
Fans claimed that the playing surface was dangerous and designed to stifle Arsenal’s style.
“There’s a reason Liverpool played long balls and our players missed a lot in the final third round #dirtytactics”
Another claimed the conditions almost cost Arsenal the game, writing: “Liverpool’s terrible serving almost won the game with misses from Odegaard and Zinchenko, but it ultimately led to Tsimikas being injured, putting Saka and Gravenberch in danger and, possibly injuring Diaz as well. . They only have themselves to blame.”
Another fan wrote that the decision to over-water was Liverpool’s, but it ended up costing them dearly: “Over-watering or not watering the pitch at all is the home team’s choice.” Perfectly resolved.
“But if it potentially results in our players slipping on the pitch and unfortunately a couple of Liverpool players getting injured as a result, is there anything to complain about?”
Liverpool Football Club told MailOnline that the claims are completely unfounded and they have “no intention of legitimizing this nonsense with any response.”