‘We are scared, we are scared!’: Granit Xhaka ‘berated his Arsenal team-mates after they took the lead against Liverpool’ because they had been standing off the Premier League champions at Anfield
- Granit Xhaka was heard berating his team-mates in Arsenal’s clash at Liverpool
- The Arsenal midfielder was angered over the visitors’ approach to the game
- Xhaka raced into the celebrations after Alexandre Lacazette netted the opener
- The Swiss international told those around him he believed they were ‘scared’
Granit Xhaka was left infuriated by Arsenal’s approach during their defeat against Liverpool, it has been claimed.
The Swiss international is said to have loudly berated his team-mates during the celebrations after Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring at Anfield in the first half.
BeIN Sports reported during the interval that Xhaka was heard screaming ‘we are scared’, and appeared visibly irked over the team’s willingness to allow the champions too much space.
Granit Xhaka was reportedly left infuriated by Arsenal’s approach in their clash with Liverpool
Champions Liverpool recovered from falling behind to seal a comfortable 3-1 win at Anfield
Xhaka was fielded next to Mohamed Elneny on Monday evening for the mouth-watering encounter, but the Arsenal duo struggled to take control in midfield.
It was the hosts who dominated possession for large spells, forcing both players to hustle and harry, and Xhaka was seen reportedly in disagreement with the more passive nature of those around him.
Despite Liverpool carving out plenty of chances in the first half on Merseyside, it was Arsenal who took the lead.
Xhaka (left) is said to have told his team-mates they were ‘scared’ after Arsenal took the lead
The Swiss international was hauled off around the hour mark with Arsenal trailing by one goal
Andy Robertson’s horror first touch from Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ delivery allowed Lacazette to steal in and finish beyond Alisson.
Xhaka was soon handed more cause for grievance just three minutes later. Roberto Firmino had played through Mohamed Salah, who saw an effort parried out by Bernd Leno. In typical fashion, Sadio Mane pounced on the rebound to fire the hosts level.
Full back Robertson then recovered from his error to complete the comeback. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s whipped cross picked out his team-mate at the far post, and Robertson was able to prod messily over Leno.
With Arsenal still chasing the game on the hour mark, Xhaka was hauled off in place of Dani Ceballos – but Diogo Jota’s late goal, his debut strike for the Reds, rounded off the contest.
