In an exciting Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Mohamed Salah’s late equaliser gave Liverpool a 2-2 draw with rivals Arsenal, while Gabriel Magalhaes hobbled off to compound the Gunners’ injury problems.
After returning from injury, Bukayo Saka scored his 50th Premier League goal in the ninth minute when he sprinted on to Ben White’s ball over the top, cut inside Andy Robertson, and blasted past Caoimhin Kelleher at his near post.
Perhaps lucky to escape a card for a sulky kick at Kai Havertz during the first few minutes of play, Virgil van Dijk levelled nine minutes later by heading home a flick-on from Luis Diaz from a corner.
After Saka’s attempt went over the crossbar and Havertz failed to stop Gabriel Martinelli’s dangerous ball across the face of goal, Arsenal recovered well and thwarted multiple half-chances.
Ibrahima Konate floored Martinelli with a clumsy challenge just after the break, but referee Anthony Taylor decided he had enough of the ball, and Havertz smashed a volley over the top to satisfy the home crowd’s demand for a penalty.
Just before halftime, Mikel Merino scored his first goal for Arsenal with a bullet header that was upheld following a protracted VAR review for offside from Declan Rice’s free kick.
After a frantic run down the touchline, Diaz came near five minutes after the restart as Liverpool improved after the half.
As Arsenal suffered yet another injury to a key player, Gabriel hobbled off early in the second half and was replaced by Jakub Kiwior.
Martin Odegaard, the captain of Arsenal, has been sidelined since September due to an injury, but manager Mikel Arteta hopes to see him return soon.
In the matchday program notes, Arteta stated that a comeback is imminent.
Although they posed a threat on the counter as Liverpool created openings at the back, the hosts had to endure extended periods of pressure.
With a nice tap-in from Darwin Nunez’s selfless cross, Salah tied the score in the 81st minute, tying Robbie Fowler for 163 Premier League goals and placing the Egyptian winger eighth all-time.
Havertz gave Arsenal the ball in the net at the last second, but referee Anthony Taylor had already blown for a foul, giving Liverpool the advantage to pull off a comeback victory.
The draw moves Arsenal into third place with 18 points, while Liverpool drops to second place with 22 points after nine games, one point behind Manchester City.
