Arsenal centre-back Pablo Mari faced off against the Reds trio at the Club World Cup last year and has described the Liverpool front three as the most difficult opponents he has ever faced. The Spanish defender explained to fans and reporters by stating that the Liverpool front trident of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are the toughest opponents he has ever faced in his career.
Mari signed for North London side Arsenal on loan in the January transfer window after shining with Brazilian side Flamengo, having previously been on the books at Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
However, it was with South American outfit Flamengo that Mari faced off with Liverpool’s deadly trio of attacking superstars with the Brazilian club meeting last season’s Champions League winners in the final of the Club World Cup.
The 26-year-old Mari revealed that his battle with that Liverpool attack was the toughest of his career.
While speaking to Reddit, the Arsenal star explained that the speed, intelligence and character of the Reds’ attackers was something that he never faced before, “I think this moment was the three strikers of Liverpool! Salah, Mane and Firmino, It’s because of speed, intelligence and their characters. I think these things are most important and make them top players.”
Mari and Flamengo held Liverpool quiet for all of the 90 minutes but succumbed to a 99th-minute winner from Roberto Firmino as Jurgen Klopp’s unit emerged as world champions in 2019.
Mari further stated, “We think we played a really good game there and we know Liverpool at that moment was maybe the best club in the world. They won everything and they won every game in the league. They are a really strong team,”
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