Roberto Firmino Denies Arsenal First Win At Anfield Since 2012 After EPL Leaders Blow Two-Goal Lead Against Liverpool
Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
Roberto Firmino scored a late leveler as Liverpool fought back to hold Arsenal to a draw in an enthralling Premier League clash at Anfield on Sunday.
The Gunners have not won at Anfield since 2012 but Mikel Arteta's side looked well on course for a big victory after goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus had fired them 2-0 up inside the opening half-hour.
Liverpool got back in the game just before half-time when Mo Salah bundled home from close range.
Salah missed a penalty later in the game but the Reds did equalize in the 87th minute when Firmino headed in following a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.
Roberto Firmino pictured heading the ball to score a late equalizer in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Arsenal
IMAGO/Propaganda Photo/David Rawcliffe
Martinelli gave Arsenal a dream start by scoring a scrappy goal in the eighth minute.
Bukayo Saka tried to play a one-two with Martin Odegaard but the Norwegian's return pass deflected off Virgil van Dijk.
Van Dijk's touch diverted the ball into the path of Martinelli, who then darted into a gap between the Dutchman and Alexander-Arnold before finishing deftly under pressure from Andy Robertson.
It was 2-0 just 20 minutes later when Jesus headed home from a Martinelli cross.
Arsenal had been thoroughly dominant but Salah's strike from close range appeared to rattle Mikel Arteta's side.
Salah forced the ball over the line from inside the six-yard box on 41 minutes after Jordan Henderson had redirected a Diogo Jota cross into his path.
Mo Salah pictured running back to the halfway line with the ball after scoring Liverpool's first goal of the game
IMAGO/Propaganda Photo/David Rawcliffe
Liverpool came close to equalizing moments later when Henderson blazed a shot over the crossbar.
The half-time interval was just as dramatic as the game, with left-back Robertson appearing to be elbowed by one of the assistant referees.
Liverpool should have made it 2-2 early in the second half but Salah missed a penalty kick for the second time this season.
Salah had blasted a spot-kick wide of the goal in a 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth in March.
Despite that failure, Salah stepped up again in the 54th minute on Sunday after Arsenal defender Rob Holding had fouled Jota.
Salah opted for a softer technique on this occasion but it did not succeed as he rolled a low shot wide of Aaron Ramsdale's goal.
That goal would come under constant pressure as the game wore on.
Liverpool came close to winning the match after Firmino's leveler but Ramsdale pulled off two superb saves.
The result saw Arsenal move six points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League title race.
City, who have played one game fewer, will host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on April 26.
