Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images

A look back at the key moments in Liverpool’s breathless draw with Arsenal in Premier League action.

Arsenal 2 - 2 Liverpool

Arsenal: Saka 9’, Merino 41’
Liverpool: Van Dijk 18’, Salah 80’

---

Pre-Match

In what is unfortunately going to be one of the toughest matches so far, Liverpool travel to London to face Arsenal on their home ground. I’m personally of the thought that its better to get these away trips out of the way early on. Arsenal has also unfortunately figured things out (sort of) to attempt a title challenge, making this trip a little more anxiety inducing than it had been in the past. This says nothing of Liverpool’s current run, of being able to grind out wins and stop teams from scoring when it matters. Winning 1-0 against Leipzig on Wednesday and last weekend’s breathless win against Chelsea will surely be on the minds of the players as they set up to do the same against this Arsenal team.

A couple of the injuries Arsenal had been dealing with as well have worked themselves out with Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka returning to the lineup, but they are still without defenders William Saliba, Riccard Calafiori, and Kieran Tierney. Liverpool may have to work to find those goals, but with Luis Diaz returning to the starting XI for the Reds, alongside Darwin Núñez up front, there is a decent chance that the goals will come quickly.

First Half

The match begins with a trumpet call in honor of upcoming Remembrance Day in November, as this is the last home match for Arsenal before the holiday. Liverpool take control early on and move forward, earning a free kick in the first minute of the match, that Trent Alexander-Arnold takes well but is unable to find the head of anyone able to score. Play has continued pretty frantically on both sides as both squads try to score early and Liverpool look for the weaknesses in the Arsenal’s lineup. Unfortunately it is Liverpool who make a mistake first, with Bukayo Saka catching Andy Robertson unprepared, and the Arsenal captain opens the scoring for the hosts.

Liverpool now have to play catch up and while it’s not ideal, it’s not an unknown for this squad either. Mohamed Salah catches a stray ball and hoofs it from long range but his effort goes wide. Liverpool win a corner in the 17th minute, and Trent takes it, sending the ball into the maelstrom - AND VIRGIL VAN DIJK TAPS IT OVER THE LINE! IT’S 1-1! What looked like one of those crunchy, grindy matches has turned into the potential for high scoring (unfortunately for both teams). The match is now back on a level playing field and the Reds have to find a winner - also not another unknown situation.

Even in the slower moments, this match is full of heart pounding moments, because you never know which side is going to take advantage. Arsenal have been slightly more successful getting into the final third, with Liverpool taking more shots from outside the box in this segment of the half. There’s a moment of entanglement around the 30th minute when Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate both tackle Martinelli and he goes down in the box, questionably touching the ball with his arm to keep it in play and move towards Kai Havertz, who takes a shot that goes high. Arsenal is probably screaming for a penalty, we screamed for a handball, and neither shout is indulged.

Everything hinges on these last ten minutes in the half as both squads throw everything they can at trying to find the goal to put them ahead before the break. Arsenal win another free kick in the 41st minute, dropping right onto the head of Mikel Merino and scoring. There’s a lengthy VAR review for potential offside that will no doubt cause controversy, but the goal is upheld and Arsenal regain the lead.

Second Half

Despite some very clear problems on the left side of the park (sorry Robbo, we love you but you’re having a Bad Match), no changes are made at the half, which is pretty uncharacteristic for what we’ve come to learn from Arne Slot. The second half kicks off and one of Slot’s deputies receives a yellow card after an Arsenal player flops right in front of the managers. There’s a pause in play as Gabriel goes down with some sort of injury but is able to come off and come back on to restart. if Liverpool could figure out how to get the ball to Diaz and Núñez and even Salah, we might have a chance to get back level or even potentially ahead.

Not much longer after coming back on, Gabriel is down again, clearly unable to keep going. Arsenal are forced into making a change, bringing on Jakub Kiwior in his stead. Liverpool had just been able to string some more passes together in an advantageous spot, but were only able to send the ball across the face of the goal and not over the line. It may just be a matter of letting Arsenal burn themselves out before we capitalize on it, hopefully without gassing ourselves. Liverpool win another corner at the 60th minute after another spell of tasty passing, but it doesn’t get anywhere useful.

Slot finally decides to make a change, though, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Kostas Tsimikas, and Cody Gakpo all coming on, replacing Andy Robertson, Luis Diaz, and Alexis Mac Allister. Szoboszlai will hopefully provide a little more cover on the left side, and Gakpo immediately gets involved in Diaz’s space. Arsenal are playing more deeply to protect their lead, but Liverpool are more able to get into the scoring positions but unable to find the back of the net with at least three shots just going too high. All focus now is on at least getting an equalizer.

Arsenal have started to rely on the tried and true tactic of time wasting, for which their goalkeeper has already been booked. Jurrien Timber now goes down injured and Myles Lewis-Skelly is brought on in his place, which might be a great sign for Salah as he attempts to find his own elusive goal. Liverpool are taking too much time on the ball and Arsenal is having too easy of a time setting up to prevent anything from happening, but they finally make something happen AND OF COURSE IT IS SALAH! IT’S 2-2! Trent finds Núñez and Darwin plays it into Mo and FINALLY finds the back of the net! Let’s get a winner!

There is 7 minutes of added time and Arsenal get the ball over the line just at the 90 minute mark but it’s ruled out due to Anthony Taylor blowing his whistle a good two seconds before it goes in. This is peak Liverpool magic time, though, and Wataru Endo comes on for Curtis Jones to help ensure at least a point just before the Reds get another corner, but the effort is cleared. Nailbiting period as both teams fight for a winning goal.

Final Thoughts

Does a draw count as doing the thing? We didn’t lose, and it was a helluva match, but the squad will be disappointed not to find a winner. Arsenal were a fittingly tough opponent, but there’s a distinct feeling that we can win against them at home.