Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool: Mohamed Salah rescues late point for Reds in trip to Emirates as Arne Slot’s side fail to reclaim top spot

Liverpool were unable to reclaim top spot in the Premier League table as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Arsenal.

Bukayo Saka‘s searing finish inside nine minutes set the game alight with Virgil van Dijk restoring parity with his head after 18 minutes.

Mikel Merino got the Gunners in front before the break after a beautiful dead ball from Declan Rice.

Until late it looked like the Gunners might end Liverpool’s unbeaten away streak but Mohamed Salah had other ideas and, on 81 minutes, finished a rapid counter-attack orchestrated by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Darwin Nunez.

The Emirates erupted on 90 minutes when Gabriel Jesus looked to have tapped home a winner, but referee Anthony Taylor had actually blown for a foul a few seconds before after Jakub Kiwior’s foul on Dominik Szoboszlai.

Virgil van Dijk headed home to get Liverpool back on level terms just nine minutes later

Arsenal were rewarded for their set-piece work when Mikel Merino finished from Declan Rice’s luscious free-kick to score his first goal for the Gunners

Mo Salah scored a late equaliser in Liverpool’s first test against a top-five Premier League side 

Arne Slot remains unbeaten away from home since succeeding Jurgen Klopp in the hot seat

Mikel Arteta cut a passionate figure on the touchline but could not inspire his team to a win

Arsenal thought they had scored a late goal but there was a foul in the build-up to it 

Arsenal had a strong grip on the game in the first half but Liverpool gained momentum

For Liverpool this was always seen as a test of their credentials, what with it being their first test against a top-five side in the Premier League.

Taking a point from the Emirates, where they lost 3-1 last season, is an indication of Liverpool’s mettle under Arne Slot. 

‘To come back twice is a good thing. We take a point and we move,’ said Van Dijk.

‘We tried to not concede and we did and that’s very disappointing.

‘They only had two injuries so they played a very strong team. We were obviously pushing so deserved an equaliser.’ 

Saka, who is now the youngest Arsenal player to 50 Premier League goals, said: ‘It’s a bit disappointed. Credit to Liverpool, they’re a good team, but we just feel we didn’t show our best selves for 90 minutes.

‘First half, we showed our qualities, we dominated, but second half, we sank back a bit and ran out of gas. Liverpool started to have more momentum, kept the ball and won more duels than us.

‘I hate missing games and it was really frustrating being on the side watching. I had this game in my mind.’ 

More to follow.