In North London, Arne Slot’s team rallied, and their top scorer scored a late equalizer to keep them within one point of Manchester City.

 

Despite Liverpool’s lackluster performance against Arsenal, Mohamed Salah’s late goal sealed a 2-2 draw for the Reds, ensuring they exited the Emirates Stadium with a point.

 

 

With the home team controlling most of the action in the first half and quickly taking the lead, it was an exciting match in north London. After recovering from injury, Bukayo Saka tormented Andy Robertson, turning him inside out, and then fired into the net’s roof to give the Gunners a well-earned 1-0 lead.

 

However, Liverpool responded when Virgil van Dijk met Luis Diaz’s flicked header to make it 1-1. Just before halftime, Mikel Merino scored his first goal in an Arsenal shirt after a wonderful free kick from Declan Rice. Despite their best efforts, the Reds were unable to tie the score before halftime.

 

Arsenal was happy to settle in and protect their lead after losing both Jurrien Timber and Gabriel to injuries in the second quarter. But until the last ten minutes, when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s magnificent ball in behind for Darwin Nunez, who squared for Salah to blast into the back of the net, Arne Slot’s team never really produced anything noteworthy.

 

For the neutral, it was undoubtedly an amazing sight, and a point was most likely a fair outcome in the end.

 

Goalkeeper & Defence

Caoimhin Kelleher (7/10):

Conceded two goals but was calm under pressure from Arsenal’s press and worked to the best of his abilities.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):

Passing was not up to his usual standards until he picked out a beauty for Liverpool’s second goal.

Ibrahima Konate (7/10):

Swept up any loose balls really well, but conceding two goals prevents him from having a higher rating.

Virgil van Dijk (7/10):

Was Liverpool’s best defender by a long way and dominated in the air for the Reds. Got himself on the scoresheet, too.

Andy Robertson (4/10):

Really struggled to deal with Saka and looked leggy at times, leading to his early withdrawal.

 

Midfield

Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):

Did his usual running work but failed to have any major influence on the game, likely due to an early booking.

Ryan Gravenberch (7/10):

His work went unnoticed in midfield but the Dutchman looked a natural in the No.6 role that Slot favours him in.

Curtis Jones (7/10):

Looked dangerous in transition but just lacked that final bit of quality when Liverpool got into a dangerous position.

 

Attack

Mohamed Salah (8/10):

Was unsurprisingly Liverpool’s most dangerous player and took his goal well to level things at 2-2.

Darwin Nunez (7/10):

Worked his socks off, and although he did not have any clear-cut opportunities, he teed up Salah perfectly for the second goal.

Luis Diaz (7/10):

Gave Partey a difficult afternoon but looked tired in the second half and was subsequently withdrawn for Gakpo.

Subs & Manager

Kostas Tsmikas (7/10):

Was bright when he came on and carried more of a threat than Robertson, although he was tested by Jesus going the other way.

Cody Gakpo (7/10):

In a like-for-like swap with Diaz, he looked dangerous cutting in on his right foot and gave Liverpool more dominance by dropping deep.

Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):

Struggled to really get in the game in that No.10 role particularly as the Reds dominated in the closing stages.

Wataru Endo (N/A):

Came on to tighten things up in the final minutes.

Arne Slot (8/10):

Used what he had on the bench well and his substitutes had a good impact on a tense game.