Late Salah strike earns Liverpool point at injury-hit Arsenal

Mohamed Salah struck a late equaliser as Liverpool came from behind to rescue a 2-2 draw in a thrilling showdown with title rivals Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners got off to a flying start as Bukayo Saka, an injury doubt ahead of the contest, flew past Andy Robertson, cut inside and rifled a sizzling shot past Caoimhin Kelleher on nine minutes.

Liverpool hit back nine minutes later as Virgil van Dijk marked his 100th appearance for the visitors as captain with a header from a well-worked left-wing corner.

However, The Gunners dominated from that moment on and regained the lead two minutes prior to the interval when Mikel Merino headed in his first goal for the club from Declan Rice’s sublime right-wing free kick.

Arsenal, who were already without the suspended William Saliba, lost Gabriel and Jurrien Timber to injury as the second period developed, allowing the Merseysiders to find a way back and level when Salah tucked in Darwin Nunez’s pass nine minutes from time.

The result means Liverpool fail to move back up above leaders Manchester City and remain a point behind Pep Guardiola’s champions in second place. Arsenal rise to third but are still four points adrift of Arne Slot’s side.

Next up both teams switch attention to the League Cup with Arsenal visiting Preston and Liverpool at Brighton on Wednesday night.

Mo Salah equalises (Arsenal-Liverpool)

Image credit: Getty Images

There was much-talk about Arsenal’s injury travails ahead of this showdown, but perhaps no surprise that both Saka and Timber were passed fit to start despite Mikel Arteta’s mind games.

In truth, his Gunners side needed to win to keep pace near the summit and they were the hungrier team for much of the contest. Saka was particularly vibrant in a dominant first half performance, but the hosts could not quite hang on despite some resilient defensive work in the face of more injury worries.

Liverpool will look back on a tough week with satisfaction, although Slot and Co may well see it as a missed opportunity to put some serious daylight between themselves and a rival given the significant names missing from Arsenal’s teamsheet, both before the game and in the latter part of the second half.

There has been a suggestion Slot’s Liverpool have had a favourable fixture list in the early part of the season, but they dug out the draw here when they were clearly not at their best to remain unbeaten on the road.

The 23-year-old’s importance to Arsenal was further underlined here as he became the youngest player to score 50 Premier League goals for the club.

The winger produced a real captain’s performance, giving Andy Robertson a torrid time and capping it with a sublime solo goal. He ran out of steam in the second half but showed why Arteta was so keen to have him involved against a major rival.

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England.

Image credit: Getty Images

Arsenal: Raya 7, Partey 7, White 8, Gabriel 8, Timber 8, Rice 8, Merino 8, Trossard 7, Saka 9, Martinelli 8, Havertz 8. Subs: Kiwior 6, Lewis-Skelly 5, Nwaneri n/a, Jesus n/a,

Liverpool: Kelleher 7, Alexander-Arnold 6, Konate 7, van Dijk 7, Robertson 6, Mac Allister 5, Gravenberch 6, Jones 7, Salah 7, Diaz 5, Nunez 6. Subs: Szoboszlai 7, Gakpo 6, Tsimikas 7, Endo n/a.

9’ GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool (Saka). The hosts make the perfect start. Saka is left to race free down the right, easily cut inside Robertson and sizzle a rising shot past Kelleher at his near post.

18’ GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool (Van Dijk). The Liverpool captain nods Diaz’s near-post flick from a left-wing corner into the back of the net.

43’ GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool (Merino). The hosts are back in front – and they fully deserve it. Merino meets Rice’s right-wing free kick with a bullet header and Kelleher has no chance.

81’ GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool (Salah). The Egyptian levels matters! It’s a clinical counter attack from Liverpool as Alexander-Arnold sends Nunez down the right. The Uruguayan plays a perfect pass to Salah in the middle and the forward makes no mistake with a cool finish into the corner.