Mohamed Salah scored a late equalizer to earn Liverpool a draw against Arsenal in their English Premier League (EPL) encounter at the Emirates on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta was without the suspended William Saliba in defence, and the Spanish coach gambled with the fitness of Bukayo Saka, starting the England international.
Arsenal wasted no time in making their intentions known, taking the lead in the 9th minute when Saka stepped past Andy Robertson before rifling a shot into the roof of the net for 1-0.
Liverpool responded immediately with Saka going close before van Dijk restored parity in the 18th minute with a header from Luiz Diaz’s flick-on following a corner kick.
The home side regained their composure and went close again through Saka and Kai Havertz before Merino restored the lead on 42 minutes with a powerful header from Declan Rice’s free-kick to put the Gunners 2-1 up at the interval.
Liverpool improved in the second half and had chances from distance but Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai blazed wide as the dominant visitors inched closer to an equalizer eventually scored by Salah on 80 minutes.
The Egyptian striker slotted Darwin Nunez’s pass into the corner for 2-2, claiming his 11th league goal against Arsenal.
Gabriel Jesus was introduced and almost had an immediate impact but Caoimhin Kelleher, Liverpool goalkeeper, saved his effort to ensure both sides shared the points.
Liverpool remains second with 22 points from nine matches, one behind leaders Manchester City, while Arsenal moves up to third on 18 points.
Earlier, wasteful Manchester United fell to a 2-1 defeat at West Ham United and slipped to 14th place on the log,
RESULTS
West Ham United 2-1 Manchester United
Crystal Palace 1-0 Tottenham Hotspurs
Chelsea 2-1 Newcastle United
Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
