Arsenal pegged back by Liverpool in pulsating Anfield draw

Chris Wilson

Liverpool fought back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2AFP

In a game that will undoubtedly go down as a Premier League classic, an alleged elbow from the assistant referee to the throat of Liverpool’s Andy Robertson will likely overshadow the fact Arsenal missed the chance to secure a first league victory at Anfield since 2012 as Liverpool battled back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.

As far as tests of Arsenal’s title credentials go, a trip to Anfield is right up there. This Arsenal team is a different animal though, and Mikel Arteta’s side stepped onto the hallowed Merseyside turf with a real swagger to their play, duly taking the lead inside ten minutes when a Virgil van Dijk blunder allowed Gabriel Martinelli to poke home and settle early Arsenal nerves.

Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Martinelli celebrates scoring the opening goal against LiverpoolAFP

If that early goal settled the nerves, then Gabriel Jesus’ strike shortly before the half hour-mark surely eradicated them all together.

Martinelli was causing Trent Alexander-Arnold a serious headache down the left, and it was the Brazilian duo combining to double Arsenal’s advantage as Martinelli’s cross was floated perfectly onto the head of the unmarked Jesus who made no mistake from six yards.

Liverpool v Arsenal xGOpta by Stats Perform

For all Arsenal’s good work though, they were put under the cosh before the break and eventually cracked when Mo Salah reacted quickest in the box to halve the deficit and fire up a raucous Anfield crowd.

Following a HT incident between Robertson and the assistant referee, the Anfield crowd needed no further encouragement, but Rob Holding gave them a massive ‘come on’ minutes into the second half when he felled Diogo Jota in the box.

Mohamed Salah reacts after missing his penaltyAFP

Fortunately for the Gunners, and Holding, Salah missed from the spot for the second time in succession as Arsenal were handed a timely reprieve. That miss didn’t deter the Reds though, who kept up their incessant pressure on the Arsenal goal.

Jürgen Klopp threw caution to the wind as the game ebbed away, withdrawing his anchorman Fabinho in place of yet another frontman, and Roberto Firmino proved key to Liverpool’s revival as Alexander-Arnold, who had a nightmare afternoon, popped up with a massive moment to plant a cross onto the head of the Brazilian.

Liverpool v Arsenal momentumOpta by Stats Perform

It’s sure to be a massive kick in the teeth for Arsenal, but with a healthy six-point lead atop of the league, the title remains in their hands. As for Liverpool, it’s a mightily impressive comeback, though it does little to boost their European chase.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)