Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
by James Nalton
at Anfield

LIVERPOOL and Arsenal took part in one of the best games of this Premier League season at Anfield on Sunday as Mikel Arteta’s league leaders dropped points for the first time in eight games.

The Gunners are now six points ahead of Manchester City but have played a game more than the team chasing them at the top of the table.

It looked like Arsenal might run away with the game early on and that Liverpool’s problems would continue. 

The visitors scored twice within the opening half hour via the Londoners’ Brazilian forwards Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.

But a flashpoint involving Gunners midfielder Granit Xhaka and Reds full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold added some extra aggression to the game and roused the home fans. 

Liverpool equalised shortly after through Mohamed Salah and were the better team for much of the rest of the game.

“It was a super intense match,” said Arteta. “We started the game exceptionally well, dominated the game, scored the first goal, continued to play how we wanted and scored the second one, and that was the moment to kill the game. 

“Then before half time we gave them hope, we conceded the goal, and they generated some belief in this special atmosphere and stadium. 

“The second half was a very different story. I think we started really well in the first few minutes but then we didn’t continue to play. 

“We gave every single ball away, especially in very dangerous areas when we allowed open spaces and big transition moments against the best team in the world at doing that.”

Liverpool missed numerous big chances as they pushed for an equaliser, including a chance from the penalty spot which was fired wide by Salah.

Manager Jurgen Klopp sent on Roberto Firmino in the second half and his header following some great work from Alexander-Arnold secured a point, which is still unlikely to be enough to make a late-season push for the top four.

Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale made some excellent saves and made sure his side took a point from the game rather than nothing.

“You need your goalkeeper if you want to win and be in title races,” Arteta said of Ramsdale’s performance. 

“How many times has [Liverpool goalkeeper] Alisson done what he has to do [for Liverpool in title races]? 

“You have to have that. You have to have those magic moments from the keeper. 

“We have some exceptional moments from our front players today as well and to win at grounds like that you need that.”