Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal: Roberto Firmino nets late leveller as Gunners’ title challenge dealt blow

Roberto Firmino headed a late equaliser as Liverpool hit back from a two-goal deficit to rescue a 2-2 draw and dent Arsenal’s hopes of laying down a statement of their title-winning credentials at Anfield. The Gunners were irrepressible at times in the first half and swaggered into a 2-0 lead courtesy of clinical goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus inside the first 28 minutes.

Ad Liverpool laboured but blew good opportunities through Andy Robertson – who was involved in a bizarre altercation with the referee’s assistant during the interval — and Mo Salah before the Egyptian forward gave the hosts a lifeline with a close-range finish just before the break. Premier LeagueKlopp bristles at journalist's 'waste of time' question over Liverpool rotationYESTERDAY AT 09:47 The Merseysiders dominated in the second half and should have levelled on 54 minutes, but Salah rolled a penalty wide of the post.

Arsenal were forced to dig in and defend desperately as Liverpool poured forward, but they couldn’t hang on as substitute Firmino nodded home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross three minutes from time. Aaron Ramsdale then produced a string of world-class saves in stoppage time to deny the Kop the victory they were baying for.

The result means The Gunners are now six points clear of second-placed Manchester City having played a game more. Liverpool remain eighth but their hopes of finishing in the Champions League places took another jolt as they are now 12 points adrift of Manchester United in fourth spot.