The Gunners drop points with City in pursuit.
2 miles away from the imposing Liverpool Lime Street station, the railhead that serves the city of Liverpool, lies the Anfield stadium, which is probably the most important part of Liverpool's psyche.
Amidst historical landmarks like the Albert Dock, the Cavern Pub, where the Beatles were born, and the Titanic Memorial, it holds its place with a history of its own.
Anfield, home to Liverpool Football Club, is a monument. There is no mistaking it. Since the day in September 1893 when Liverpool beat Lincoln City in front of 5,000 fans, it has seen it all. It is a fortress, and it is supposed to be defended by everyone who is Red, not just the footballers.
The new challengers for the league title were visiting, and Anfield had prepared for another raucous welcome. It was never going to be easy; everyone said that the coach, the players, and the fans of both clubs said the same thing.
Arsenal's young guns have been brilliant this season, and Liverpool's are unpredictable at best. It was to be a pivotal match, and there was much at stake.
As the Liverpool flags flew amidst the singing, the referee got them away. Arsenal looked settled, and Liverpool were a bit wary as they held themselves back. Moving the ball around with ease, Arsenal looked their part. Just 8 minutes into the game, Saka picked up a loose ball and bounded forward. As he pushed the ball to the top of the box, a deflection from Van Dijk fell kindly to Martinelli, and he just managed to poke it home past Alisson. The Gunners had the early break, and the Reds were in for a tough evening.
Liverpool picked themselves up and had their chances. Salah missed one, and Robertson shot wide of the corner post. With half an hour on the clock, Martinelli got through the left and crossed for Jesus to bury it in, and Arsenal was on top of the world. A deafening silence descended on the Anfield crowd. Their nightmare seemed to be unfolding on the pitch.
Liverpool had to respond, and they did it in style. Mo Salah, often the one who starts the drama, scored from close quarters. The Reds had something to build on. Salah was the saviour, but he would later ruin his day by shockingly shooting wide from the spot.
The second half was different, as Liverpool seemed to get their mojo back. Sharp with the ball and moving around with purpose, they seemed to have changed gears. What followed was a passage of play that was a thrilling display of football. Liverpool attacked relentlessly, and Arsenal strangely decided to defend their way to a result. They were clumsy at it and paid for it. Trent Arnold, much maligned these days, slipped past Zinchenko deep inside the box, and his cross was headed in by Roberto Firmino, who turned out to be an inspiring substitution by Klopp. On both sides of the goal, Liverpool were dominant, and Arsenal was probably saved by the heroics of Aaron Ramsdale, as he flung himself around and kept the Reds away.
On the whole, it was a match of two halves, with Arsenal looking great in the first half and Liverpool brilliant in the second.
For Arsenal, on their second-half performance, probably a point looked like a good outcome. Liverpool, after their topsy-turvy campaign, may have done a bit to redeem themselves on the day.
The wall at Anfield was chipped away at, but the fortress survived.
City is chipping away at the lead, and the Gunners need to be vigilant......
====================================================================
T V Sudhir Bhattathiripad
Be A Sport
====================================================================
Do subscribe to get new stories into your inbox......