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FT: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal - Diaz and Gakpo put champions in control
Martinelli header gives visitors hope after break before Merino equaliser
Alexander-Arnold jeered by some Liverpool fans
Merino dismissed for second yellow card
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
It continues to be all-Arsenal this half. Martin Odegaard with the slide pass through, Gabriel Martinelli is just about to strike it, but Conor Bradley does superbly to make a last-ditch well-timed sliding challenge.
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The season is a really bitter pill to swallow for Arsenal fans, but the reality is we have paid the price for not improving the squad and evolving last summer. We’ve suffered from injuries, poor decisions and key players dropping off in form, but even at our best the squad wasn’t there to take the next step, particularly in attacking positions. Despite all that, Arteta still finished second again in a competitive league, and almost took us to a CL final. I’ve no doubt that the trophies will come, and that Arteta is the man to bring them.
Michael, Arsenal fan in Cyprus
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at Anfield
Conor Bradley is rash in the way he approaches the challenge. He thinks Myles Lewis-Skelly is going to try to cross it but he instead sprints past him and Bradley charges into him. That is an area where he needs to improve.
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal
A clumsy foul from Conor Bradley, charging into Myles Lewis-Skelly, gives Arsenal a free-kick to the left of the penalty area.
Liverpool fail to clear the delivery, it drops for Gabriel Martinelli but he can't put enough fizz on the shot and Alisson falls to his left to make a routine save.
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at Anfield
It just feels a little uncomfortable for Liverpool at the moment.
Arsenal are dominating the possession, as they did in the first half, but they have got a bit more intent when they come forward.
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If this stay like this, or even if Arsenal draw, their win % after 36 games would be 50%. Miles off the pace for champions stats.
Ben
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
A first attack of the second half from Liverpool and it drops to Dominik Szoboszlai and he tries his luck from 30 yards out. The ball is zipping about and that might be why David Raya can only block the strike with his arms instead of catch it, but he's lucky as there is no Liverpool player to snap up the rebound.
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at Anfield
Alisson had to make that save from Ben White because if not it was a simple tap in for Gabriel Martinelli.
It's been so much more positive from Arsenal in this second half.
Image source, EPALiverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Arsenal's Ben White charges into the penalty area, drops the shoulder to skip past Andy Robertson and shoots low across goal, but Alisson has his angles correct and is able to parry with the loose ball dropping to a red shirt.
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Richard: Someone want to pop to the Liverpool dressing room and let them know the second half started?
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at Anfield
Another really good passage of player from Arsenal. They made sure to retain the ball and also made sure that they moved it a bit quicker.
There is a little bit of rotation on the left hand side, Gabriel Martinelli is drifting into the nine and Leandro Trossard is dropping out wide and that is causing an issue for Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate.
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
It has been a bright start to the second half from the visitors, with Leandro Trossard, having just registered an assist, spinning and shooting but sending it over the top.
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Conor Bradley left his tackling super powers in the changing room. Just static watching Trossard. Wakey wakey.
Jay
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Gary Neville
Former Manchester United defender on Sky Sports
It's a simple goal.
Conor Bradley will be disappointed and Trossard doesn't get put under any pressure at all.
It's a good glancing header from Gabriel Martinelli.
Image source, ReutersLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Stephen Warnock
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live at Anfield
A really positive start to the second half by Arsenal; and there have been a few groans from the home fans.
It is good play from Leandro Trossard with the cross, Ibrahima Konate is caught flat footed and it is a brilliant leap from Gabriel Martinelli in the middle to head it into the far corner.
Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal)
Just what Arsenal were after. They score almost immediately after the restart. Leandro Trossard floats in a cross from the left, and Gabriel Martinelli glances a header into the far corner with Alisson having no chance.
Image source, Getty ImagesLiverpool 2-0 Arsenal
The second half is under way. Any way back for Arsenal?
HT: Liverpool 2-0 Arsenal
Dominik Szoboszlai has provided three assists in his last three Premier League matches, as many as he managed in his previous 54 matches in the competition combined.
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I am saying it here and now. If we end up third or even worse fourth then I am saying thank you Mr Arteta for what you done but get your coat. Give money to someone next level up.
Kris, very angry and reactive gooner
A reminder that on Wednesday, Arsenal were playing in the Champions League semi-finals - their first appearance in the last four in 16 years.
HT: Liverpool 2-0 Arsenal
Image source, Getty ImagesHe's on the bench today, but Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has been named as the Premier League's player of the month for April.
The midfielder started in all five of the Reds' matches last month, scoring two goals and recording one assist as Liverpool secured the Premier League title.
He becomes the fourth Argentine to win the award after Juan Sebastian Veron, Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero.
Mikel Merino scored for Arsenal but was later sent off
Mikel Merino scored and was then sent off as Arsenal came from two goals down to draw with Premier League champions Liverpool in an entertaining match at Anfield.
There was a celebratory atmosphere as Liverpool - who wrapped up the title two weeks ago - raced ahead with two goals in two minutes.
They scored the first in the 20th minute when Arsenal's defence switched off following a quick throw-in and Andy Robertson's cross was headed in by Cody Gakpo.
The Reds doubled their lead a minute later when Dominik Szoboszlai chased on to a forward pass and squared the ball for Luis Diaz to slide into an empty net.
Arsenal looked as though they were heading for a heavy defeat but rallied after the break.
Gabriel Martinelli headed in a cross from Leandro Trossard to give them a lifeline in the 47th minute before Merino followed into the area to score after Alisson tipped a shot from Martin Odegaard on to the crossbar.
Merino was then sent off for a second bookable offence when he lunged into a tackle on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area after losing possession - and the visitors played the final 10 minutes a man down.
It was Trent Alexander-Arnold's first appearance for Liverpool since he announced he would be leaving at the end of the season and he was booed by supporters when he came on as a substitute.
He almost turned those boos to cheers when his free-kick, following the red card for Merino, curled just wide of the post.
There was drama right at the finish as Robertson had a goal ruled out. The defender found the net after goalkeeper David Raya had parried Virgil van Dijk's header - but there was a foul by Ibrahima Konate on Myles Lewis-Skelly in the build-up.
The result leaves Liverpool 15 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who remain in control of their own destiny as they look to secure Champions League football next season.
'Sad to see Trent leave Liverpool this way' - Danny Murphy
'Fans entitled to own opinion' - Slot on Alexander-Arnold reaction
There was a real party atmosphere inside Anfield as supporters continue to celebrate their title win.
Home fans directed chants at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta over his comments suggesting his team were the best side in this season's Champions League. And they cheered the guard of honour that the Arsenal players formed for the Liverpool players before the game.
The team responded to the raucous atmosphere, pressing Arsenal all over the pitch, were unlucky to not to be further in front at half-time.
Robertson, who was making his 250th Premier League appearance for Liverpool, took advantage of Arsenal switching off to deliver a quick cross for Gakpo's opener but the experienced full-back should have won the match when he shot wide late in the game.
Arne Slot's side are worthy champions - and the Liverpool manager showed he is already looking to next season, as he started Conor Bradley instead of the departing Alexander-Arnold.
Arsenal nowhere near standards required - Arteta
Arteta will be pleased with how his side fought to get back into the game but this performance will again raise questions about his side.
It's been a mixed season for Arsenal and in the first match since they were knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-finals, it looked as though they would be drawn further into the fight for qualification for next season's competition.
The Gunners have been second for large parts of this season but were in danger of being pulled further into by the chasing pack as Liverpool went two goals ahead.
Arsenal have not won more than three league games in a row this season and that level of consistency will have to improve if they are to achieve their goal of becoming Premier League champions.
Before this match, Opta gave Arsenal a 99.7% chance of qualifying for the Champions League and they are one step closer to achieving that after rescuing a point inside a hostile Anfield.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 25 | 8 | 3 | 83 | 37 | 46 | 83 |
| |
| 36 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 66 | 33 | 33 | 68 |
| |
| 36 | 20 | 6 | 10 | 68 | 45 | 23 | 66 |
| |
| 36 | 19 | 8 | 9 | 67 | 43 | 24 | 65 |
| |
| 36 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 62 | 43 | 19 | 63 |
| |
| 36 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 56 | 49 | 7 | 63 |
| |
| 36 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 56 | 44 | 12 | 62 |
| |
| 36 | 16 | 7 | 13 | 63 | 53 | 10 | 55 |
| |
| 36 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 59 | 56 | 3 | 55 |
| |
| 36 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 55 | 43 | 12 | 53 |
| |
| 36 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 51 | 50 | 1 | 51 |
| |
| 36 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 46 | 48 | -2 | 49 |
| |
| 36 | 9 | 15 | 12 | 39 | 44 | -5 | 42 |
| |
| 36 | 12 | 5 | 19 | 51 | 64 | -13 | 41 |
| |
| 36 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 42 | 59 | -17 | 40 |
| |
| 36 | 10 | 9 | 17 | 42 | 53 | -11 | 39 |
| |
| 36 | 11 | 5 | 20 | 63 | 59 | 4 | 38 |
| |
| 36 | 4 | 10 | 22 | 35 | 77 | -42 | 22 |
| |
| 36 | 5 | 7 | 24 | 31 | 78 | -47 | 22 |
| |
| 36 | 2 | 6 | 28 | 25 | 82 | -57 | 12 |
|
Manager: Arne Slot
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Manager: Arne Slot
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager: Mikel Arteta
Formation: 4 - 3 - 3
Premier League
All competitions
All competitions
All competitions
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 14 home games against Arsenal in all competitions (W7 D7) since a 2-0 loss in the Premier League in September 2012.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games against Liverpool (W2 D3), their longest run without defeat against the Reds since a run of eight between October 2007 and April 2011.
This is the third time Arsenal are facing the Premier League champions in a season with the title already confirmed, previously drawing 1-1 with Man Utd in 2012-13 and beating Liverpool 2-1 in 2019-20.
Liverpool lost 3-1 against Chelsea last time out, having clinched the title the week before. Only two teams have lost both of their next two Premier League games in a season after already confirming the title – Arsenal in 1997-98 and Chelsea in 2005-06.
Arsenal have dropped 21 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, their joint-most in a single campaign (also 2019-20). They lost 2-1 against Bournemouth despite leading last time out.
Arsenal lost 2-1 at home to Bournemouth last time out, with the Cherries responsible for 50% of the Gunners’ league defeats this term (2/4). Mikel Arteta’s side last lost consecutive league games in December 2023.
39% of Arsenal’s goals conceded in the Premier League this season have come from set-piece situations (12/31, excluding penalties) the highest share of any side.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has scored 11 Premier League goals against Arsenal, only netting more against Manchester United (13) and Tottenham (12). His first ever goal in the competition came against the Gunners in a 6-0 win for Chelsea in March 2014.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka has scored four goals in his last five Premier League games against Liverpool – against no other side has he scored more often in the league. However, all four of his strikes against them have come at the Emirates Stadium.
If he plays, this will be Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk’s 300th Premier League appearance. He would be the fourth Dutchman to reach this milestone, after George Boateng (384), Dennis Bergkamp (315) and Edwin van der Sar (313).
