Arsenal (40) stood tall in the face of Liverpool's punches (39), especially in the second half, in which they had the victory in hand with two shots on target - one after an incredibly wasteful counter-attack - and left Anfield with a point (1-1), enough to maintain dominance in the Premier League. It is also a nod to Dibu Martinez's Aston Villa (39), who were one point off the top, to Cuti Romer's Tottenham (36), who beat Everton 2-1, and to Julián Álvarez's Manchester City (34), who postponed their match because of their triumphant excursion to Saudi Arabia and did not lose so much ground.
Arsenal are still without a win at Anfield, failing to get the three points at the stadium that has never left you alone since the 2012-13 season, with their manager, Mikel Arteta, as a player. But they came out unscathed, immersed in the match, true to their style and without giving up a victory that, at times, was closer to their rival.
The draw doesn't entirely satisfy anyone. What's more, it leaves the fight for the Premier League leadership more than open. None of the top three managed to win. Nor Unai Emery's Aston Villa, third, who could not beat bottom side Sheffield. Neither Arsenal, first, nor Liverpool, second. Only fourth-placed Tottenham picked up all three points on this matchday.
So much stumble benefits the defending champion, Manchester City, who have a game in hand and can return to the fight if they win their pending match of this eighteenth round against Brentford at the Etihad Stadium.
With the top at stake, neither won. Neither Liverpool, who are still without the services of Alexis Mac Allister, nor Arsenal. It was a game without respite, at an intense pace, the one that Jurgen Klopp's team always implements and that Arteta's team took the lead well in the fourth minute, in a set piece action, executed by the Norwegian Martin Odegaard that the Brazilian Gabriel Magalhaes took advantage of with a header to expose the local defense and its goalkeeper, Alisson Becker.
WITH SUSPENSE, THE FIRST ONE ARRIVED: after the VAR review, Gabriel Magalhães' goal was confirmed for Arsenal's 1-0 against Liverpool in the #PREMIERxESPN. pic.twitter.com/7khoFzbF1D
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) December 23, 2023
The Gunners, who were more adapted to the situation, took advantage. Liverpool, who are unbeaten in ten games in the Premier League, began to react. He took possession and added speed to the game. He equalized on the half-hour mark. On a long pass from Trent Alexander Arnold to Mohamed Salah on the right wing. The Egyptian got rid of Oleksandr Zinchenko, got into the box and took a dry and high shot that beat the resistance of David Raya. Goal.
GREAT GOAL AT THE LEVEL OF LIVERPOOL! Salah received an impressive ball from Alexander-Arnold, finished with pure power and scored the 1-1 against Arsenal in the #PREMIERxESPN. pic.twitter.com/rnqYL5Ycsp
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) December 23, 2023
Klopp's side seemed to tilt the pitch with Salah's shout - hereached 151 goals in the Premier League and got into the all-time top ten of scorers - although the last chance before the break was for the London team, at the feet of Gabriel Martinelli who shot wide next to the post when Alisson was out of position.
On the way back from the locker room, the home side enjoyed their best moment. Joe Gomez could have scored but his shot went for nothing and then the post came to Harvey Elliot.
The next one was clearer, shortly before the last quarter of an hour, in a quick counterattack led by Salah who gave the ball to Alexander Arnold. The right-back, a guarantee with his punch, shot with Raya completely unguarded but the ball hit the crossbar. It was five players in red against one in yellow, not counting the goalkeeper. It's unbelievable how badly the visiting team was in a position. Liverpool had the win there, but it didn't come in that play or after.
LIVERPOOL HAD IT AGAINST THEM! Alexander-Arnold's shot hit the CROSSBAR! pic.twitter.com/bQTgYV8LKk
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) December 23, 2023
Then the meeting opened up. Anyone could have won. No one did it and the match ended up level and with the Premier League open to the highest bidder.
Source: agencies