Liverpool came from two goals behind to hold Arsenal to an exciting draw in a blockbuster Premier League match on Sunday afternoon – and Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville were there to talk viewers through it.
Arsenal appeared to be on course for a huge victory when Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus put them 2-0 up inside 28 minutes. But, with the Anfield crowd firmly behind them following a few clashes on the pitch, Liverpool fought back.
Mohamed Salah tapped in at the back post to make it 2-1, and although he missed a penalty after Rob Holding had brought down Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino was there at the back post to head in Trent Alexander-Arnold ’s cross in the 87th minute.
It could have been even better for Liverpool – and worse for Arsenal – but Aaron Ramsdale produced two stunning saves to keep out Salah’s curling effort and Ibrahima Konate’s point-blank shot.
Carragher and Neville were on co-commentary together alongside Martin Tyler – and their ooohs and aaahhs were on a whole new level. Here Mirror Football takes you through the match via the medium of the Sky Sports commentators.
Martinelli opened the scoring by latching onto an inadvertent deflection from Virgil van Dijk to poke past Alisson.
Neville: “What a start for Arsenal! This is brilliant from Saka. Watch his run and Ben White ’s little pass. He does [Andy] Robertson and all of a sudden he drives into that space, then you’ve just got the runners. [Virgil] van Dijk deflects into a path, Martinelli switched with Gabriel Jesus and that little movement from Bukayo Saka is absolutely brilliant.
"I’d hate that as a full-back, and then you’re talking about whether one of those Arsenal players can finish, and he pokes it past the onrushing Alisson - he’s got his head down but the little touch is brilliant from Martinelli. Arsenal alive and brilliant in this game.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold moved into central midfield when Liverpool had possession, sparking a debate about the tactic among the pundits.
Carragher : “Well we spoke about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s position, it’ll be interesting going forwards if he stays there or if it’s just for this game.”
Neville: “I just don’t get it, surely it would be quicker to actually teach him to defend as a right back instead of making him a central midfield player.”
Carragher : “It’s something obviously tactical, but it just seems like Liverpool’s players are all over the place there.”
In the 28th minute Jesus got in between Van Dijk and Robertson to nod in Martinelli cross and make it 2-0 to Arsenal.
Neville : “Well the Arsenal fans, they feel it now, as do those players. I have to say we talked about Trent Alexander-Arnold and just look at this: Martinelli, it’s the most simple spin in the world. He just stands still, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Martinelli is away. Then it’s a one-v-one in the middle, it’s Van Dijk vs Jesus, and Van Dijk gets under the ball, not close enough to the striker.
“Can he put it on his head? Absolutely he can, it’s a brilliant cross, it’s a brilliant goal and it’s a brilliant Arsenal. This is a proper performance, this, to come to Anfield, the toughest of grounds. They don’t lose here often against big teams and in half an hour they’ve ripped them to shreds.”
After not getting a foul, Granit Xhaka reacted by bumping into Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the two players then going head-to-head and picking up yellow cards from referee Paul Tierney.
Neville : “Why would he? He cannot get involved, he cannot get involved. He’s been so good for Arsenal this season, that’s exactly what Liverpool would want.”
Carragher : “I mean what is he thinking though, Xhaka? Two nil up away at Anfield, throws his arm or something into Trent. Just ridiculous. Trent reacts and then the crowd gets up, the ball’s already gone. It’s two nil, moments before half-time.”
Mohamed Salah made it 2-1 in the 42nd minute by getting in behind Gabriel to convert from close range after Jordan Henderson flicked on Diogo Jota’s low cross.
Carragher : “Well, Arsenal may feel it’s a little unjust with the quality of the performance to find themselves two one going into half-time. It’s Mo Salah at that back post. Does really well, Curtis Jones, maybe gets a bit of luck. He’s trying to go for goal, Jordan Henderson, really good from Curtis Jones and Mo Salah is always Jonny on the spot.”
Early in the first half, Liverpool were given a penalty when Rob Holding clumsily knocked over Diogo Jota. Mohamed Salah put his penalty wide of the post, giving Arsenal a let-off.
Neville : “You sometimes get that little bit of luck on your way to a title, and Arsenal have just had it, Holding’s just had it, Ramsdale screams with delight. He just passes it past the post, there’s nothing else you can say.”
In the 87th minute Roberto Firmino nodded in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross to make it 2-2.
Carragher: “Well, the title is back in Manchester City ’s hands! You talk about this place doing special things, Liverpool have been distinctly average at certain times in this game but they could go on and win it. Zinchenko has been outstanding for a lot of the game, it’s really poor, and Firmino has made a big difference since he came on.
“You see Trent Alexander-Arnold there, we know he can deliver and we know Firmino can finish, especially against Arsenal, we’ve still got five or six minutes here but this could have huge repercussions on this title race for this Arsenal team. The game is there to be won now for this Arsenal team.”
Late on, Aaron Ramsalde produced brilliant saves to keep out a curling effort from Mohamed Salah and a chested attempt from Ibrahima Konate.
Neville : “This is some save! The deflection makes it even more difficult for him. Who knows, that might win Arsenal the title, you never know?!”
Carragher : “How did Konate miss?! Konate didn’t know what to do, he just tried to stomach it in. Oh my! How much of an impact is this going to have on the title?”
Arsenal had the chance to counter, but Gabriel Martinelli’s pass for Bukayo Saka was overhit and Alisson came out to mop up.
Neville: “Michael Thomas!”
