Arsenal carried a Champions League hangover into their Premier League clash at Liverpool, but showed they have the stomach for a fight in Sunday’s 2-2 draw after conceding two early goals and going 1 man down.
Liverpool might have stumbled last weekend against the hands of Chelsea
Liverpool might have stumbled last weekend against the hands of Chelsea but this time they looked sharp and ready for a challenge. Arsenal, who are also out of the Champions League, are now facing the heat to qualify for the Champions League next season. They have failed to produce a win in the last 3 matches in the Premier league and the time was no different.
Both the teams had to settle for a draw and a point each
An important match for Mikel Arteta, it had to be points taken from Anfield and given the circumstances, Arsenal would be content with the one point. This leaves Arsenal in the 2nd position with 68 points closely followed by Newcastle with 66 points and Manchester City with 65 points.
Liverpool started the game with a bang as they looked eager for the ball
Liverpool started the game with a bang as they looked eager for the ball and were aggressive in their approach. The Liverpool pressure continued to mount until they scored their first in the 20th minute when Arsenal’s defence switched off following a quick throw-in and Andy Robertson’s cross was headed in by Cody Gakpo after he slipped and failed to convert seconds before, the constant Liverpool pressure helped them surge ahead in the tie.
The Reds doubled their lead a minute later when Dominik Szoboszlai chased on to a forward pass and squared the ball for Luis Diaz to slide into an empty net.
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Arsenal looked as though they were heading for a heavy defeat but rallied back into the game after the break.
Gabriel Martinelli headed in a cross from Leandro Trossard
Gabriel Martinelli headed in a cross from Leandro Trossard to give them a lifeline in the 47th minute before Merino followed into the area to score after Alisson tipped a shot from Martin Odegaard on to the crossbar.
Merino was then sent off for a second bookable offence when he lunged into a tackle on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area after losing possession and the visitors played the final 10 minutes a man down.
It was Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first appearance for Liverpool since he announced he would be leaving at the end of the season and he was booed by supporters when he came on as a substitute.
He almost turned those boos to cheers when his free-kick, following the red card for Merino, curled just wide of the post.
There was drama right at the finish as Robertson had a goal ruled out in the last minute of the game
There was drama right at the finish as Robertson had a goal ruled out. The referee called the foul straight-away when the defender found the net after goalkeeper David Raya had parried Virgil van Dijk’s header, but there was a foul by Ibrahima Konate on Myles Lewis-Skelly in the build-up which was caught by the referee, who blew his whistle just in time.
The result leaves Liverpool 15 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who remain in control of their own destiny as they look to secure Champions League football next season.
