Liverpool Vs Arsenal ended in a tie as Reds came from two goals down to share spoils with the Gunners at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp is among the few long-serving managers standing after a record 12 managers faced the axe this season.
The German tactician saw Liverpool in tatters after a near quadruple last season but thanks to “his elephant in the room” status that has kept him on the job.
The Reds were humiliated out of the Champions League and are gradually drifting down the table, off the top-four race.
Right in front of their home fans, Jurgen Klopp had a chance to fight back against a high-flying Arsenal side who are closer to their first Premier League title in 19 years than ever.
Mikel Arteta comfortably dispatched the Reds at Emirates in the reverse fixture but faced a big test again to their title credentials after Manchester City slashed the deficit to five points after a win over Southampton at St Mary’s.
The Gunners needed nothing less from victory but were set for a strong challenge with Liverpool having won their last six home games against the Gunners.
A win for Mikel Arteta would have been the Gunners’ first time of completing a league double over Liverpool in 13 years.
Liverpool lineup
Jurgen Klopp lined up his usual 4-3-3 formation with Arnold, van Dijk, Konate, and Robertson in the defense.
The midfield trio consisted of Fabinho, Jones, and Henderson while the front three featured Salah, Gakpo, and Jota.
Arsenal lineup
Arsenal also lined up a 4-3-3 formation with Ben White, Magalhaes, Holding, and Zinchenko at the back.
Oddegard, Partey, and Xhaka led the midfield while Saka, Martinelli, and Gabriel Jesus led the attack.
Right inside the opening 60 seconds of the game, Arsenal carried threats on both hands with Martinelli breaking into Reds’ box from the left flank and trying to force an attempt but the ball was cleared for a cornerkick.
Arsenal maintained the pressure on the Liverpool half, closing up spaces and launching threats inside the opponents’ box.
Seven minutes into the game, Arsenal’s highest scorer this season, Gabriel Martinelli, hit the Reds after Virgil van Dijk defensive blunder allowed the Brazilian poked home the opener pass Alison Becker.
It was a deserved lead after a marathon of pressure inside the Liverpool box.
Liverpool seemed more jittery and unstable despite trailing by a lone goal but they came close to their first chance in the 20th minute when Fabinho teed up Robertson with a long pass on the left flank but Robertson’s low shot swerves off target but close to the far right.
The Reds came close again when Arnold dinked a long pass over the top targeting Salah but was cleared by Holding.
Gunners hit the Reds again!
Arsenal still maintained threats upfield and were set to double the lead.
In the 28th minute, Arsenal sank comeback hopes for the Reds when Xhaka peeped Arnold to perfectly send a throughball to Martinelli on the wing.
The Brazilian picked his pace down the left before he pinned Gabriel Jesus in the box, who flew up to head home Arsenal’s second.
It was Gabriel Jesus’ 8th goal in the season for Arsenal and his first since returning from the sidelines.
Arsenal clips Reds despite two-goal lead
Arsenal turned Anfield into a home ground, comfortably dominating play and waltzing forward with the swagger of an intending Premier League champions.
It was a masterclass display from the Gunners going forward. They bundled up Liverpool in front of their home fans.
Reds restore comeback hopes!
Against the run of play, Liverpool resurrected comeback hopes when Mohammed Salah hit his 6th goal in 6 games at Anfield, smashing home Henderson’s sidefoot at the back post to make it 2-1.
Liverpool seemed to gather momentum after the goal and nearly equalized in the stoppage-time of the first half but Aaron Ramsdale produced a super save to deny the Reds.
The home side continued to heap late pressure but Arsenal held on to take the 2-1 lead into the break.
A strong first half finish for Liverpool but a deserved lead for the Gunners who took over Anfield before the half-hour.
A good second half start for Liverpool
Liverpool had the better of the visitors as the second half kicked off. The Reds dominated proceedings going forward but failed to overturn the game.
They continued to hold sway over the game but could not find an equaliser with the hour mark crossed.
Arsenal created less chances in the second half and seemed to have lost the first half momentum while Liverpool raged on but the scoreline was untouched.
Against the run of play Arsenal nearly found the back of the net when Martinelli paced into the Liverpool box with acres of space but his cross for Saka was intercepted by Alison Becker.
Salah misses penalty!
Liverpool were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute after Holding brought down Jota in the box. Salah took the penalty and missed it, firing off target.
Liverpool continued to dominate proceedings but could not break the goal deadlock in the second half with few minutes left into the game.
Firmino heads home equaliser!
After a marathon of pressure from the Reds, Firmino who came on as a substitute and has scored in his last seven home game against Arsenal, netted the equaliser, his 8th successive goal at Anfield against Arsenal.
The Brazil international rose high and nodded home Arnold’s cross to make it 2-2.
Liverpool nearly grabbed a late win but Aaron Ramsdale pulled an astonishng save to deny Reds as the match ended in a tie.
Arsenal still extended their lead on the Premier League table to six points despite dropping points at Anfield.
