Arsenal honour Liverpool then fight back for 2-2 draw at Anfield
Liverpool vs Arsenal
In a thrilling encounter at a sun-drenched Anfield, Arsenal paid homage to Liverpool’s Premier League triumph with a guard of honour, only to deliver a stirring reminder of their own quality by battling back from a two-goal deficit to secure a 2-2 draw. The match, a showcase of high-octane football, encapsulated the contrasting fortunes of two teams whose paths had diverged sharply over the course of the 2024/25 season. Liverpool, crowned champions a fortnight earlier with a record-equalling 20th English title, dominated the first half, with Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz scoring within 90 seconds of each other to establish a commanding 2-0 lead. Arsenal, reeling from their midweek Champions League semi-final exit, appeared deflated but summoned a remarkable second-half response, with Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino scoring headers to level the score. Despite Merino’s late red card, Arsenal held firm, even threatening to snatch victory, while Liverpool saw a potential winning goal disallowed in the dying moments. The pulsating draw, described by Liverpool manager Arne Slot as a spectacle for fans worldwide, underscored the prestige at stake, even with the league table already decided, while Arsenal’s resilience offered a glimmer of hope amid a faltering campaign.
The pre-match formalities set a poignant tone, as Arsenal’s players formed a guard of honour to applaud Liverpool onto the pitch, a gesture befitting the champions’ dominant season. With 83 points from 36 games, Slot’s side had clinched the title with ease, leaving Arsenal, on 68 points, to fight for a top-five finish to secure Champions League football. The opening exchanges reflected Liverpool’s confidence, as they pressed with intensity and exploited Arsenal’s sluggish start. In the 20th minute, the Gunners’ defense was caught napping when Andy Robertson, afforded acres of space on the left, delivered a measured cross. Gakpo, unmarked at the far post, rose above his marker to power a header past David Raya, igniting the Anfield crowd. The goal exposed Arsenal’s vulnerability at set-pieces, a recurring issue that had plagued their season. Barely 90 seconds later, Liverpool doubled their lead, capitalizing on another defensive lapse. Dominik Szoboszlai latched onto a precise through ball, racing into the penalty area before calmly squaring for Díaz, who tapped in from close range. The rapid-fire goals stunned Arsenal, whose players appeared shell-shocked after their midweek European disappointment. Liverpool’s early dominance was further underlined by near-misses, with Raya producing a stunning save to deny Díaz and tipping a curling effort from Curtis Jones around the post. The hosts’ relentless pressure threatened to turn the match into a rout, as Arsenal struggled to string passes together, their midfield overrun by Liverpool’s high-pressing machine. Mikel Arteta, watching from the touchline, cut a frustrated figure, later admitting that his team’s first-half performance was “nowhere near the level” required, a sentiment echoed by his players’ disjointed display.
The second half, however, saw a transformed Arsenal side emerge from the tunnel, their pride stung by the prospect of a humbling defeat. The catalyst for their revival came just after the interval, when Leandro Trossard, introduced at halftime to inject dynamism, delivered a pinpoint cross from the left. Martinelli, peeling away from his marker, glanced a header beyond Alisson, halving the deficit and breathing life into Arsenal’s challenge. The goal shifted the momentum, as the Gunners began to assert themselves, their passing crisper and their pressing more coordinated. Liverpool, who had appeared unassailable in the first half, were suddenly on the back foot, with Robertson later admitting that his side was “not at it” after the break. Arsenal’s resurgence was fueled by a determination to salvage something from a season that had promised much but delivered frustration. Their equalizer arrived in the 70th minute, a moment of redemption for Merino, who had endured a challenging campaign. Martin Odegaard, Arsenal’s captain and creative linchpin, unleashed a ferocious piledriver from 20 yards, which Alisson could only parry against the woodwork. Merino, alert to the rebound, nodded the ball into the net, sparking wild celebrations among the traveling supporters. The goal was a testament to Arsenal’s newfound resolve, as they refused to capitulate despite their earlier struggles. Anfield, so raucous in the first half, fell into a tense hush, as Liverpool grappled with the prospect of letting a two-goal lead slip.
The drama intensified nine minutes later when Merino, the hero of the equalizer, turned villain. In a moment of recklessness, the Spanish midfielder lunged into a challenge on Szoboszlai, catching the Hungarian with a high tackle. Referee Anthony Taylor, after consulting VAR, brandished a red card, reducing Arsenal to 10 men with just over 10 minutes remaining. The dismissal threatened to derail Arsenal’s comeback, but Arteta’s side displayed remarkable resilience, reorganizing defensively and frustrating Liverpool’s attempts to capitalize on their numerical advantage. The Gunners’ resolve was epitomized by their near-miss in stoppage time, when Odegaard, tireless in his leadership, latched onto a loose ball and fired a shot inches wide of the post, leaving Alisson stranded. The moment sent a ripple of panic through the Anfield crowd, who had expected their champions to cruise to victory. Liverpool, too, thought they had snatched the win in the final seconds, when Robertson bundled the ball in from close range after a chaotic scramble. However, VAR intervened, disallowing the goal for a foul in the build-up, ensuring Arsenal’s hard-fought point was preserved. The decision sparked debate, but Slot, ever gracious, acknowledged the quality of the spectacle, noting that the result mattered less with the title secured but carried weight for “prestige.”
The match was not without its subplots, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s substitution providing a poignant talking point. The Liverpool right-back, who had announced his impending departure on a free transfer at season’s end, was met with a chorus of boos from sections of the home crowd, a stark contrast to the adulation he had enjoyed during his storied career. The mixed reception cast a shadow over Liverpool’s celebrations, highlighting the emotional complexity of his exit. For Arsenal, the draw offered a measure of redemption after a dispiriting week, their spirit undimmed despite a campaign that had seen them fall short of Liverpool’s relentless pace. Arteta’s post-match comments reflected his frustration with his team’s slow start but also his pride in their response, though he was unequivocal that the first-half standards were “unacceptable.” The result left Arsenal’s top-five aspirations in the balance, with their 68 points not yet guaranteeing Champions League qualification, a stark reminder of the fine margins in the Premier League’s upper echelons.
For Liverpool, the draw did little to dent their title-winning euphoria, but it served as a timely reminder of the challenges awaiting them in defending their crown. Slot, the first Dutch manager to win the Premier League, praised the entertainment value of the contest, noting its appeal to fans globally. Arsenal, meanwhile, departed Anfield with their heads held high, their comeback a testament to their character, even as they grappled with the inconsistencies that had defined their season. The match, a microcosm of the Premier League’s unpredictability, left both sets of supporters with plenty to ponder, as Liverpool looked ahead to next season’s battles and Arsenal sought to rediscover the form that had once made them title contenders.
