Roberto Firmino’s late header earned Liverpool a 2-2 draw with leaders Arsenal as the Premier League title race was blown wide open in a tense encounter at Anfield.
The league leaders Gunners looked set to overcome their toughest title challenge with a first win at Anfield since 2012 when Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus struck in a blistering 28-minute opener.
Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool a lifeline before half-time, but his missed penalty in the second half looked to have given Arsenal the win they needed to restore their eight-point lead at the summit.
But Liverpool’s persistence was rewarded three minutes from time when Arsenal nemesis Firmino leveled the contest with a header, his 11th Premier League goal against the Gunners.
The drama continued in a thrilling finale as Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale produced two sensational saves to deny Salah and Ibrahim Konate’s half-time goals as Arsenal grabbed a first point at Anfield in seven seasons, which could prove invaluable if their title aspirations are to materialise. to achieve.
Arsenal remain six points clear at the top of the Premier League and still have their destiny in their hands, but the appearance of a seven-game winning streak will only encourage champions Manchester City, who have played a game less and welcome the Gunners. “Etihad” Stadium on April 26.
“Arsenal” thriller at Anfield
With Liverpool having suffered just one defeat at home all season, Arsenal’s prospect of more misery at Anfield could remain despite the hosts’ inconsistent campaign.
But it took eight minutes for the Gunners to settle their nerves as Bukayo Saka’s darting run caused panic and allowed Martinelli to capitalize on a more redoubtable Liverpool defending with a deft low corner.
Arsenal could have been out of sight before Liverpool had a chance to respond to their free kick as Aleksandr Zinchenko forced a save from Alisson Becker and Jesus turned Sacca’s cross at the back post before Andy Robertson fired home.
Arsenal’s dominance was underlined before the half-hour when Jesus rose unchallenged in the Liverpool area to head home Martinelli’s superb cross.
Completely outclassed in the opening 40 minutes, Liverpool grabbed a lifeline three minutes before the break when Salah bundled in at the back after Curtis Jones and Robertson had combined to find Jordan Henderson in the Arsenal area.
Ramsdale denied Diogo Jota and Henderson converted as Arsenal maintained their lead until the break, where Liverpool full-back Robertson appeared to be elbowed in the face after a tussle with linesman Konstantin Hatzidakis.
Assistant referee Konstantin Hatzidakis appeared to elbow Andy Robertson in the face late in the first half at Anfield.
The incident sparked Liverpool into the second period and they had a chance to equalize seven minutes from the restart when Rob Holding clumsily brought down Jota in the area, but Salah deflected his shot just wide. at Bournemouth in March.
Ramsdale prevented substitute Darwin Nunes from leveling the contest after he missed the target, but he was powerless as Firmino headed home Alexander-Arnold’s cross for his 11th goal against the Gunners in all competitions.
And in looking at the statement win, the closing stages saw Arsenal held to a point as Salah and Konate were thwarted by superb saves from Ramsdale just as the Gunners’ Anfield curse threatened to re-emerge.
Klopp: A very important point for Arsenal
Jurgen Klopp was in a mixed mood after Liverpool’s (2-2) draw with Arsenal. Klopp was disappointed with the way Liverpool started the match, but praised them for coming back into the game and was ultimately unsure how they won.
“Liverpool” head coach Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports. “It’s been a little bit typical of us this season and also of Arsenal, it was a completely open game. They scored in the first situation and not long after they scored the second, and our problems were big enough, but we managed them. even bigger.
“But then the reaction was good, it was a spectacular game at the end, how can we not win, I don’t know, with the chances we had.
“It’s a point and a good reaction from the two goals we conceded, it’s positive, but I’m caught in the middle. I have no problem with a draw and for Arsenal it is a very important point because if you draw these types of games, you have a good chance of winning the championship.
“You can’t always be super, super, super convincing. They were good, but they would agree that they could or should have lost this game today. They didn’t, so maybe it’s better for them.”
What do you know about the Robertson incident? “Nothing. I know it happened but I didn’t watch it because in these situations the pictures probably speak for themselves.”
Arteta: We must get the point
Mikel Arteta has reflected on Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool and felt the Gunners lost control of the game after a strong start and said the draw was a fair result.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports. “Wow! Really intense game. We started brilliantly, controlled the game and scored the first goal and the second goal was a beautiful move. The game was controlled until we conceded a really sloppy goal. Then the game shifted momentum.
“We lost control after half-time, lost a lot of clear balls and it became a very open and chaotic game which they loved. They could have scored three or four goals, conceded a penalty and Aaron (Ramsdale) made some great saves. But we had some big breakthroughs and could have scored two or three goals, in the end the result is fair.
“The lesson starts with the first 35 minutes and how we played coming out like this and what we did. But we have to keep doing it, regardless of the crowd and the result, to go and look for the third and fourth goal. “
On Liverpool’s strong home form“I haven’t seen anyone do that in the Premier League this season, no one. They beat all the big teams here and could have beaten Real Madrid 4-0 after 20 minutes, so it’s extremely difficult. They will have and will have moments. our goalkeeper played a big role.
“We could have taken three points, if we had played like we did (in the beginning) for another 15 minutes, the game would have been different, but we didn’t and we have to take the point.
“We’re moving on and trying to convince them to play like they did in the first 35 minutes and we’re going to win a lot of games.”
Arsenal Can’t Crack Anfield Code – Opta Stats
- Arsenal remain winless in 10 Premier League visits to Anfield, drawing 3 and losing 7 times, while conceding at least twice in each game.
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last 37 Premier League games at Anfield (27 draws 9), and that defeat came against Leeds United in October.
- 184 goals were scored in the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal, making it the highest scoring game in the history of the competition.
- It is only the third time this season that Arsenal have dropped points from the top spot, having also done so against Southampton at St Mary’s and at home to Brentford.
What’s next?
Liverpool lead to Leeds on April 17 Monday night footballkeep living Sky Sports. Start at 20:00.
Arsenal:‘s title bid continues as they go West Ham Sunday, April 16, live Sky Sports. Start at 14:00.
Liverpool’s remaining matches…
April 17 Leeds (A) – Premier League, kick-off at 20:00, live Sky Sports
April 22 Nottingham Forest (H) – Premier League, kick-off at 15:00
April 26 West Ham (A) – Premier League, kick-off: 19:45
April 30 Tottenham (H) – Premier League, kick-off 16:30, live Sky Sports
May 3 Fulham (A) – Premier League, kick-off at 20:00
May 6 Brentford (H) – Premier League, kick-off 17:30, live Sky Sports
May 13 Leicester (A) – Premier League, kick-off at 15:00
May 20 Aston Villa (H) – Premier League, kick-off at 15:00
May 28 Southampton (A) – Premier League, start: 16:30
Arsenal’s remaining matches
April 16 West Ham (A) – Premier League, kick-off: 14:00, live Sky Sports
April 21 Southampton (H) – Premier League, kick-off 20:00, live Sky Sports
April 26 Man City (A) – Premier League, kick-off at 20:00
April 29 Chelsea (H) – Premier League, kick-off 17:30, live Sky Sports
May 7 Newcastle (A) – Premier League, kick-off: 16:30, live broadcast Sky Sports
May 13 Brighton (H) – Premier League, kick-off at 15:00
May 20 Nottingham Forest (A) – Premier League, kick-off at 15:00
May 28 Wolves (H) – Premier League, kick-off: 16:30
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