For the second EPL match in a row, Liverpool have dropped points at Anfield. Liverpool and Arsenal played scintillating for about 70 minutes before bogging down over the final 20, having to settle for a 1-1 draw.
First Half
Arsenal put a shot on frame in the opening minute, but Alisson made a save. The Reds were not so lucky in the 4th minute as Gabriel scored a header off of a free kick by Kai Havertz.
Mohamed Salah put a shot just wide in the 14th minute, but Arsenal continued to control the contest, outshooting Liverpool 6-1 in the opening 20 minutes. That all changed near the half-hour mark. Trent Alexander-Arnold picked out Salah with a long pass and the Egyptian King did the rest. He took a touch around a defender and finished the chance with a blazing strike that tied the match at 1-1.
Joe Gomez came in after an injury to Kostas Tsimikas and was put under immediate pressure at the left back position. That gave Gabriel a look at an empty net as Alisson was off of his line, but he missed the shot. Liverpool also had a free kick in first-half stoppage time, but the chance was cleared, leaving the score at 1-1.
Second Half
Salah put a shot on frame in the 48th minute to kick off end-to-end action in the second half. Gomez came up from the back in the 54th minute, but the attempt was wide. Dominik Szobsozlai also sent a shot wide in the 61st.
Harvey Elliott came on as a sub and earned a corner in the 69th minute. Moments later, the Reds nearly scored on a counterattack, but Trent Alexander-Arnold hit the bar. That was Liverpool's best chance over the final 20 minutes as the match bogged down a bit. As a result, the match ended in a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw.
A Fair Result
As mentioned in the match preview, Liverpool and Arsenal entered the match, statistically even on paper, so the fact that the match ended in a draw is not all that surprising. Again, the stats in this match were almost identical as both sides garnered 13 shots with Liverpool holding a slight edge in shots on goal at 3-2. The Reds held a similarly slim edge in possession at 51-49 and Arsenal held the edge in corner kicks 5-4.
Salah Pases Two Legands
With his goal today, Salah has been involved in 121 Premier League Goals in 120 EPL matches at Anfield (88 goals and 33 assists). That passes Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler for most all-time EPL goal involvements at Anfield in club history.
A Look On The Bright Side
Even though most supporters will be disappointed with the draw, Salah's equalizer in the 29th minute means that Liverpool have recovered a league-best 19 points on the season. Also with his assist on Salah's goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold ties teammate Andy Robertson for the most assists by a defender in EPL history with 57.
LFC Globe Verdict
With both clubs so evenly matched a draw was a distinct possibility and that's just what happened. The match featured moments of brilliance by both teams, but it was also hampered by lulls in the action, A draw is a disappointment for our beloved Reds as it cost a chance to go atop the EPL table before Chrismas, but considering where we were this time a year ago (8th) 2nd is still pretty good.
Man Of The Match
Who else can it go to but Salah? Not only did he score the goal that set the record mentioned above, but he also set up Trent Alexandre Arnold's potential game-winner that hit the crossbar.
What's Next
Liverpool will have a quick turnaround as they travel to face Burnley on Boxing Day, December 26th. Kickoff is set for 17:30 GMT.
Goals
Liverpool
- Mohamed Salah 29'
Arsenal
- Gabriel 4'
Substitutes
Liverpool
- Joe Gomez for Kostas Tsimikas 35'
- Harvey Elliott for Luis Diaz 68'
- Ryan Gravenberch for Curtis Jones 68'
- Darwin Núñez for Cody Gakpo 68'
Arsenal
- Leandro Trossard for Gabriel Martinelli 68'
- Eddie Nketiah for Gabriel Jesus 78'