Mohamed Salah scores and misses a penalty in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with leaders Arsenal at Anfield, as Roberto Firmino’s late header blew the Premier League title race wide open.
When Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus scored in a dominating opening 28-minute run, the league-leading Gunners appeared set to pass the biggest test of their title credentials with a first Anfield win since 2012.
It only took the Gunners eight minutes to score the first goal as Bukayo Saka’s darting run provoked panic and allowed Martinelli to capitalise on more shoddy Liverpool defence with a slick low finish into the corner. For Arsenal’s second, Jesus rose unimpeded in the Liverpool area before the half-hour mark to strongly head in Martinelli’s wonderful cross, highlighting Arsenal’s dominance.
After being outplayed for the first 40 minutes, Liverpool got a lifeline three minutes before the break when Mohamed Salah bundled at the back post after Curtis Jones and Robertson combined to find Jordan Henderson in the Arsenal area.
As Arsenal maintained their lead into half-time, Liverpool full-back Robertson seemed to be elbowed in the face following a disagreement with linesman Constantine Hatzidakis. The incident fired Liverpool into life in the second half, and within seven minutes of the restart, they had an opportunity to level when Rob Holding took Jota down in the box, but Salah skewed his spot-kick wide, much as he did at Bournemouth in March.
But, three minutes from time, Liverpool’s patience was rewarded when Arsenal’s nemesis Firmino levelled the game with a header, his 11th Premier League goal against the Gunners.
The drama continued in a thrilling finale, with Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale producing two sensational saves to prevent Salah and Ibrahima Konate scoring stoppage-time winners, as Arsenal clung to a first Anfield point in seven seasons, which could prove invaluable if their title aspirations are to come true.
Arsenal remain six points clear at the top of the Premier League and control their own destiny, but the sight of their seven-game winning streak coming to an end will only empower champions Manchester City, who have played one fewer game and host the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on April 26.
With Liverpool having only lost once at home this season, the threat of additional Anfield sorrow remained, despite the hosts’ uneven season.
