Liverpool came from behind to play out a 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Arsenal this afternoon.
Mikel Arteta’s side raced into a 2-0 lead before Jurgen Klopp’s men, seemingly down and out, pegged the Gunners back leading to an eventual final minute in which both sides could have taken all three points.
“We’ve got six more weeks of this where it’s going to ebb and flow, flip and flop. I have to say, Arsenal were brilliant in the first half but Liverpool just kept on coming back,” Gary Neville said after full-time.
“Your goalkeeper has to make big saves in a title run-in. He’s made two at the end that were world class. Konate… could he have gone with his foot, could he have gone with his head? Arsenal should think of it as a grateful point rather than two points dropped.”
Here’s how the players rated at Anfield:
Liverpool
Alisson – 7 – Redeemed himself in the second half after playing below his usual standings in the opening 45 minutes.
Andrew Robertson – 5 – He was among those Liverpool’s defenders who didn’t cover themselves in glory for Arsenal’s opening goal. Robertson, though, could have drawn the sides level but instead drilled his shot inches past the far post. Picked up a yellow card for dissent soon after the halftime whistle blew. However, the Scottish international was aggrieved, with images showing assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis elbowing him.
Virgil van Dijk – 4 – A far cry from the colossus which contended for the Ballon d’Or prize. His lackadaisical clearance opened the door for Martinelli to put Arsenal in front. He knew Jesus was there for the second goal but doesn’t adjust at all. Soon entered the referee’s book after callously bringing Jesus down. “Deary, deary me. That’s desperation – not frustration. Van Dijk didn’t fancy it against Jesus. He was beaten, well beaten,” Gary Neville responded on Sky Sports commentary.
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Ibrahima Konaté – 8 – The more aggressive of Liverpool’s central defenders. Produced a good old-fashioned crunch on Xhaka to start the second half. Made no fewer than six tackles which he won half while making three interceptions. But he should have scored in the final minutes to give Liverpool an incredible comeback victory.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6 – Took up what Jamie Carragher described on Sky Sports commentary as the “Zinchenko role”. In other words, drifting into a central midfield position, much to Neville’s bemusement. “I just don’t get it. Surely it takes longer to teach him as a new central midfielder than to be a better right back?”
Curtis Jones – 4 – Even though he played a key role in the build-up to Salah’s goal the England U21 international was often careless in possession.
Fabinho – 5.5 – Economical in possession. The languid defensive midfielder didn’t see the ball often but when he did seldom wasted it. He did, however, receive a yellow card for bringing down Saka as Arsenal were about to start a counter.
Jordan Henderson – 5 – His attempted side-foot effort on goal found its way for Salah to get Liverpool back into the game. Could have made it 2-2 on the stroke of half-time but his shot went over.
Since the start of the 2018/19 season, no player has provided more assists against a single opponent than Trent Alexander-Arnold vs. Arsenal.
Let’s talk about six (assists), baby. ? pic.twitter.com/sKdZoC0CsL
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 9, 2023
Diogo Jota – 4.5 – Has looked off the pace in recent outings and today was no different. Winning an early second-half penalty was his sole meaningful contribution.
Cody Gakpo – 5 – Yet to truly build on that big performance against Manchester United but there were some positive signs today.
Mohamed Salah – 6.5 – Had the opportunity to half the deficit with Liverpool trailing 2-0 though could only stab the ball harmlessly wide of Ramsdale’s goal. But you can’t keep the Egyptian down and minutes before half-time ghosted in at the back post to get Liverpool on the scoreboard. Had the opportunity to draw the sides level from 12 yards but just like he did at Bournemouth – he shoots low and puts the ball just past the post. He’s now missed four of his last 11 penalties for Liverpool, including the last two.
Substitutes:
Thiago (for Jones 60) – 5.5 – A welcome return for the Spain international, who immediately added composure to Liverpool’s midfield.
Darwin Nunez (for Jota 60) – 4 – A chaotic game needed Mr Chaos, had the chance to draw things level but could only shoot at Ramsdale.
Roberto Firmino (for Fabinho 79) – 6 – Does what he often does – score against the Gunners.
Arsenal
Aaron Ramsdale – 9 – Frustrated not to have kept a clean sheet given how on top Arsenal was for large swathes of this game. He did pull off an important save to deny Salah in the moments following the Egyptian’s missed penalty. “Ramsdale readjusts his position, he sets and he goes really early. He’s waiting for it which is what I really liked about that save,” Neville critiqued. He made an even better save to deny Salah in stoppage time.
Oleksandr Zinchenko – 5.5 – Enjoyed a fascinating battle with Salah down Arsenal’s left flank but we rarely saw him in Liverpool’s final third.
Gabriel Magalhães – 6 – Headed straight at Alisson from a late Arsenal corner. That could have put the game beyond Klopp’s men instead they went up the other end and registered a well-deserved equaliser.
Based on the shots on target faced, the average goalkeeper would have been expected to concede 3.09 goals against Liverpool.
Aaron Ramsdale made two last-minute saves to keep it down to two. ? pic.twitter.com/HWXeJiFfww
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 9, 2023
Rob Holding – 5 – The continued absence of William Saliba means Holding retains his spot alongside Gabriel at centre-back. Clumsily brought down Jota to hand Liverpool an early second-half penalty which Salah put wide much to Holding’s delight.
Ben White – 5.5 – Booked deep into the first half after lunging on Jota after giving possession away.
Granit Xhaka – 5 – Not sure what he was thinking. Has been on his best behaviour for Arsenal this season but foolishly got himself booked after coming together with Alexander-Arnold who reacted. Yellow cards were handed out for both.
Thomas Partey – 6.5 – Got stuck in today’s midfield battle. Partey attempted five tackles which he won all but one.
Martin Ødegaard – 7 – The heartbeat of everything positive Arsenal were doing. Ødegaard’s ability to orchestrate attacks in the deep-lying forward position he plays has been transformative.
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Gabriel Martinelli – 8 – Started lively by putting Alexander-Arnold on the backfoot. Moments later put Arsenal in front after quickly reacting to Van Dijk’s attempted clearance. He subsequently became the second South American player to reach 25 Premier League goals while aged 21 or younger, after teammate Gabriel Jesus (26).
Gabriel Jesus – 7.5 – Missed an early golden chance when he met Saka’s cross but could only direct his effort over. The former Man City forward soon made amends when heading Martnelli’s cross past a rooted Alisson – his eighth goal this season.
Bukayo Saka – 7 – Back in the Gunners starting lineup after coming off the bench in last weekend’s Leeds win at home. Played an integral role in Arsenal’s opener with his clever movement bamboozling Robertson before playing a clever pass to Odegaard that ultimately resulted in Martinelli’s goal. Booked for time wasting late on.
“Huge credit has to go to Arteta. This is something he works on with his wide players, that pass inside. He asks that from his wide players constantly,” Carragher reacted on Sky Sports commentary.
Substitutes:
Leandro Trossard (for Jesus 79) – N/A – A late sub.
Jakub Kiwior (for Ødegaard 79) – N/A – A late sub.
Player name (for Zinchenko 88) – N/A – A late sub.