Arsenal’s winless run against Liverpool at Anfield continues as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Merseyside, after throwing away a two-goal lead in their Matchday 30 encounter on Easter Sunday.
The Gunners were quick off the blocks from the start and scored the opener in the eight minute through Gabriel Martinelli. Bukayo Saka did well to put the ball into the area although it deflected off Virgil van Dijk but Martinelli squeezed his effort past Reds goalkeeper Allison Becker to give Arsenal the lead.
It became two goals to Arsenal’s advantage twenty minutes later as Gabriel Martinelli turned provider this time around, with his cross finding fellow countryman Gabriel Jesus who headed home.
The second goal definitely jolted Liverpool back to reality, as they began to seize the initiative and they got back into the game shortly before half-time through Egyptian forward Mo Salah, who dragged his effort past Aaron Ramsdale in goal for Arsenal.
Upon resumption of the second period, things seemingly turned positive for Liverpool as center referee Paul Tierney blew for a penalty. Reds striker Diogo Jota was fouled by Gunners center-back Rob Holding which brought about the spot-kick.
Mo Salah stepped up to take the penalty and just like it was against Bournemouth weeks ago, the Egyptian star yet again skewed his effort wide.
Late on, Liverpool finally got a much-deserved equalizer as substitute Roberto Firmino who is set to leave Merseyside at the end of the campaign, nodded home a cross by Alexander-Arnold in the 87th minute to register his 11th goal against the Gunners in 15 matches against them.
In the end, it finished in a draw as the Gunners failed to beat Liverpool at their own patch since 2012 and have dropped crucial points in the race to win the Premier League.
🔴 Live Blog:
FULL-TIME AT ANFIELD: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
GOOOAAALLL!!! Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal (R. Firmino)
87′ MIN: Alexander-Arnold gets past Zinchenko to dink a ball in and sees Firmino to rise the highest and nod the ball home.
PENALTY MISSED!!!
53′ MIN: Mo Salah fails to convert from twelve yards.
PENALTY!!! For Liverpool
52′ MIN: Rob Holding is penalized for his foul on Diogo Jota.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY AT ANFIELD: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal take the lead into the interval but it is Mo Salah’s effort which keeps the visitors within touching distance.
HALF-TIME AT ANFIELD: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal
GOOOAAALLL!!! Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal (M. Salah)
42′ MIN: Salah pops up and drags the ball past Ramsdale – game on!
GOOOAAALLL!!! Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal (G. Jesus)
28′ MIN: Arsenal have doubled their lead as Martinelli becomes provider with a brilliant cross and Jesus nods the ball home.
GOOOAAALLL!!! Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal (G. Martinelli)
8′ MIN: What a start! Van Dijk deflects the ball to the feet of Martinelli who squeezes the ball through past Alisson to score.
KICK-OFF AT ANFIELD: Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
The Reds are seeking to end a run of three Premier League games without a win and four matches without a victory in all competitions. Jurgen Klopp’s side have seen their inconsistencies cause them to lose to Bournemouth and Manchester City, before earning a point via a goalless draw with Chelsea last time out.
A win against an in-form Arsenal seems unlikely at the moment, given the fact that they lost the reverse fixture 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium though the Reds are hoping that recent results over the Gunners may spur them on to another huge outcome.
As for the Gunners, this tie against Liverpool is one of several big fixtures they have to navigate in the run-in, as they seek to claim a Premier League title for the first time in nineteen years. They still have Manchester City and Chelsea to contend with before the end of the season in May.
The Gunners have not beaten Liverpool at Anfield since 2012, when former boss Arsene Wenger was at the helm while current gaffer Mikel Arteta also featured in that win eleven years ago. Arteta’s side can take a look at the reverse fixture which they won, as they look to end that run at Merseyside.
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