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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen

Arsenal man stopped Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino in tunnel after late equaliser

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus took the opportunity to swap shirts with Roberto Firmino for one of the final times after Liverpool's draw with the Gunners.

The former Hoffenheim attacker proved his importance to Jurgen Klopp's side as he scored his 11th goal against the north London side to secure a point after the Premier League leaders took a two-goal lead through Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus.

Mohamed Salah clawed a goal back before the break but squandered the opportunity to level the scoring on the hour mark as he fired his penalty past the post. However Firmino then proved to be the difference when he came on and rose above Ben White to head home an equaliser.

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An Anfield exit is looming for Klopp's most used player since arriving on Merseyside as his contract expires in the summer. With time ticking towards its conclusion after a seven-year spell in the English top-flight, Jesus took the opportunity to grab a memento from the departing Reds icon.

In behind-the-scenes footage posted by Liverpool, the two Brazil internationals are shown enjoying a warm embrace after the Premier League juggernauts locked horns.

The pair continued their discussion in the tunnel following the duel with Martinelli also joining the conversation before the former Manchester City talisman and Firmino swapped shirts.

Firmino has been lauded for his interplay, playing a role which doesn't seem him hit the headlines as the likes of Sadio Mane and Salah did during the height of their success.

"I really like Gabriel Jesus and I think he is a really underrated player. Obviously, the question is: can he lead the line for a big club like Manchester City?" said Owen Hargreaves speaking to BT Sport in 2021.

"But his goal return is fantastic. He works incredibly hard for the team, gives the team so much, a bit like [Roberto] Firmino at Liverpool, being a bit underrated, but I am happy for him to get on the scoresheet.

"On the right-hand side, he has been fantastic."

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