WELL That’s one ruined Christmas tradition…It turns out that a turkey isn’t necessary for a Christmas feast after all.

4Gabriel Magalhaes opened the scoringCredit: EPAMohamed Salah dragged Liverpool levelThe forward scored with a powerful effortIt was his first goal in the Premier League this season

Two Premier League titans going toe-to-toe and serving up an absolute cracker can satisfy even the most voracious football fan.

We certainly got that Friday night at Anfield, as Liverpool and Arsenal demonstrated why the rest of the world is envious of the Premier League.

Last week’s borefest, which made Songs of Praise appear like an action movie, was a world away. From start to finish, it’s high octane, high intensity, and high entertaining.

Arsenal scored quickly through Gabriel, and Liverpool responded with a rocket of a goal from Mo Salah. And, finally, honours in a game that stole your breath away.

And to think, in Saudi Arabia, they were advertising that heavyweight boxing match as the Day of Reckoning. Not a single bit of it.

There’s even a present for winners Manchester City, whose World Club Championship-winning weekend was topped by the top three all shedding points.

The door was open for a Merseyside winner to lead the Christmas charts. A point apiece implies Arsenal will win.

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And it’s difficult to argue they don’t deserve it after bringing the fight to the Kop. After only three minutes, they had taken the lead.

Martin Odegaard curled in a free kick, Ibrahima Konate allowed Gabriel slip by, goalie Alisson was caught off guard, and the centre-back planted a header in the corner.

The Gunners had a few nervous moments until VAR confirmed he was onside. Maybe by the width of Cody Gakpo’s jersey, but it was enough.

It was the first time Liverpool had trailed at home since August, when Antoine Semenyo dared to put Bournemouth ahead. A short-lived advantage.

Just like Arsenal’s did not do yesterday. On the other hand, no one thought this would ever be a one-goal game…There are no confrontations between these two.

Liverpool was jolted into action by that early rap, and Jurgen Klopp demanded that the Kop turn up the noise beforehand, so this was no Silent Night.

Not in terms of decibel levels…and not in terms of the thrill on offer. It’s not so much football as it is yelling.

On 28 minutes, Salah gave the croaky-throated supporters even more reason to strain their vocal cords with a laser-guided leveller.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s amazing 50-yard crossfield throw to pick him out on the right, before he cut inside and ripped one into the top corner, might be said to be the same.

Talk about a shift in power dynamics. Talk about a shift in momentum. Liverpool were now flying and Arsenal were fighting for their lives.

Odegaard avoided a penalty call after the ball obviously struck his left hand, but he was rescued because he was fumbling to regain his balance.

While Arsenal’s captain barely kept upright, Kostas Tsimikas was knocked down on the left touchline by a nudge from Bukayo Saka.

Worse was to come for the Greek left back, who collided with his gaffer, landing Klopp on the ground as well.

Tsimikas laid in anguish, grasping his shoulder in agony, while Jurgen lifted himself up, and his night was done. Crocked by his own employer in the strangest injury you’ll ever witness.

Joe Gomez then entered the melee and blasted a strike inches wide of the far post. After nearly 200 games, he is still searching for his first Liverpool goal.

Proof that the thrilling entertainment was coming from all directions. It couldn’t possibly last. They’d have to take a breather at some point.

Yes, the 100mph speed did gradually slow down. Clearly, a burst of energy from the bench was required. And when Klopp made that decision, it nearly paid off in an instant.

Harvey Elliott had been on the pitch for barely a minute when he took aim from 20 yards and was a whisker away from finding the bottom corner.

Liverpool surged on with new wind in their sails…Salah was literally spoilt for choice at one counter, with alternatives aplenty.

He chose Alexander Arnold correctly. You’d bet the farm on him burying it. The crossbar was shaken by the cleanest striker of a ball in a Red shirt.

Actually, it’s quite fitting. It wouldn’t be Christmas without The Great Escape, and that was Arsenal’s.

It was also the moment you understood we’d have to split the prizes. To be honest, it would have been cruel for either to walk away as a loser.