Liverpool Denied Top Spot Despite Salah's Heroics
28 October, 2024
Liverpool missed the chance to reclaim top spot in the Premier League after a 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday evening.
Premier League
Result: Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
Date: 27 October 2024
Venue: Emirates Stadium
The Reds made three changes following their win over Chelsea, as Alexis Mac Allister, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez, who took the place of the injured Diogo Jota upfront, were recalled.
Liverpool drew 2-2 with Arsenal at the Emirates, missing the chance to reclaim the top spot. Goals from Van Dijk and Salah secured a point after strikes from Saka and Merino. Liverpool stay second, one point behind Manchester City.
The Gunners, meanwhile, were boosted by the return of Bukayo Saka while Thomas Partey was assigned to the defence following the suspension of William Saliba. Arsenal had a flying start after Saka gave them the lead with only nine minutes on the clock after he fired home a close-range strike at the near post. However, Arne Slot's charges responded within ten minutes after Virgil Van Dijk headed in a close-range header after a flick by Diaz from a cross by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Mikel Arteta's men were on the charge again and just before the half-time break, Mikel Merino restored their lead with a powerful header from a free-kick delivery by Declan Rice.
Arsenal had an injury setback in their makeshift defence early from the break, as Gabriel could not continue and was replaced by Jakub Kiwior.
The game became tactical and towards the hour-mark, Slot was looking to give the Gunners' defence a different challenge, as Cody Gakpo replaced Diaz.
The Reds pinned Arsenal in their own half in the closing stages and with nine minutes left, Mohamed Salah eventually levelled matters with a simple finish in the box after he was setup by Nunez.
Either side fancied a winner in the dying minutes and the Gunners thought they had sealed it after Ethan Nwaneri finished tucked home a rebound off the post after a flick on by Kai Havertz but the goal was chalked off for a foul in the build-up.
The game ended all square in the end, as Liverpool remained second on the log, one point behind leaders Manchester City and four points ahead of third-placed Arsenal.
Source: www.snl24.com