Mikel Merino scored the equaliser and was later sent off as Arsenal mounted a spirited comeback from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Premier League champions Liverpool in an entertaining clash at Anfield.
With the title already secured two weeks ago, Liverpool played with freedom and raced into a 2-0 lead in just two minutes.
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 20th minute, heading home an Andy Robertson cross after Arsenal’s defence was caught off guard by a quick throw-in.
Seconds later, Dominik Szoboszlai burst forward and set up Luis Diaz, who tapped into an empty net to double the lead and send the Anfield crowd into celebration mode.
Arsenal looked in danger of collapse, but responded with determination after the break. Gabriel Martinelli nodded in Leandro Trossard’s delivery early in the second half to pull one back.
The equaliser came when Martin Ødegaard’s effort was tipped onto the crossbar by Alisson, and Merino reacted quickest to slot home the rebound.
However, Merino’s night ended on a sour note when he was dismissed for a second yellow card, lunging into a tackle on the edge of Arsenal’s box after giving the ball away, leaving his side to play the final 10 minutes with 10 men.
There were boos from the home crowd as Trent Alexander-Arnold came off the bench in his first game since announcing he would leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
He nearly silenced the jeers with a curling free-kick that went narrowly wide following Merino’s dismissal.
The game ended with late drama as Andy Robertson thought he had won it, only for his goal to be ruled out due to a foul by Ibrahima Konaté on Myles Lewis-Skelly in the build-up.
Liverpool stay comfortably top, 15 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who despite the setback, remain well-positioned to clinch Champions League qualification.
