In a thrilling clash at the Emirates Stadium, Mohamed Salah’s late equalizer salvaged a 2-2 draw for Liverpool against rivals Arsenal in a high-energy Premier League showdown on Sunday.
The match had it all: swift goals, contentious referee decisions, and a crucial injury setback for Arsenal.
Bukayo Saka wasted no time, marking his return from injury with a ninth-minute opener. Breaking away from Liverpool’s defense, Saka latched onto a precise pass from Ben White, maneuvered around Andy Robertson, and drilled a shot past goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher for his 50th Premier League goal. It was a sweet moment for the young star as Arsenal looked to assert dominance early.
Liverpool, however, responded just minutes later. Virgil van Dijk, who had escaped a possible card for an early scuffle with Kai Havertz, capitalized on a Luis Diaz flick during a corner, nodding the ball into the net for Liverpool’s first equalizer in the 18th minute. The Dutchman’s header silenced Arsenal fans temporarily and ignited Liverpool’s own offensive efforts.
Arsenal quickly regained momentum, keeping Liverpool’s defense under constant threat. Saka missed a close-range attempt, sending it over the crossbar, and Havertz nearly capitalized on a cross from Gabriel Martinelli. Arsenal’s players and fans were left frustrated in the 31st minute when Ibrahima Konate’s challenge on Martinelli in the box was dismissed by referee Anthony Taylor. In the subsequent play, Havertz misfired a volley that could have restored Arsenal’s lead.
Just before halftime, Mikel Merino stepped up, netting his first Arsenal goal with a commanding header off a Declan Rice free-kick. A tense VAR check for offside only heightened the crowd’s suspense before Merino’s goal was finally upheld.
The second half saw Liverpool intensify their attack, with Diaz coming close after a skillful run down the touchline. Arsenal, however, took a hit as Gabriel Magalhaes limped off the field, adding to Arsenal’s injury woes and prompting Mikel Arteta to bring on Jakub Kiwior.
Despite Arsenal’s lead, Liverpool maintained pressure, and Salah seized his moment in the 81st minute. Lurking at the far post, he calmly slotted in Darwin Nunez’s cross, leveling the score and reaching an impressive milestone of 163 Premier League goals, tying him with Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler.
The excitement peaked in stoppage time as Havertz found the net for Arsenal, only for the goal to be disallowed due to a prior foul.
The draw keeps Liverpool in second with 22 points, one point shy of league leaders Manchester City, while Arsenal sits third with 18 points. Both teams now shift focus to maintaining momentum as the Premier League season intensifies.
