Salah nicks point as Liverpool stay ahead of Gunners

Mohamed Salah scored in the 81st minute to rescue a 2-2 draw for Liverpool against Arsenal in a pulsating Premier League encounter at the Emirates.

Bukayo Saka, absent from Arsenal's last two games with a hamstring injury, scored the opener after just nine minutes before Virgil van Dijk hauled Liverpool level.

Mikel Merino then restored his side’s lead only for Salah to convert Darwin Nunez’s cross to deny the home side a win.

The thrilling draw leaves Liverpool second, a point behind table-toppers Manchester City, with Arsenal third, now five points off the pace.

In the past four league meetings between the heavyweights, Arsenal had opened the scoring within the opening 15 minutes, and that trend continued to leave the visitors on the ropes.

Ben White, operating at centre-back in place of the suspended William Saliba, played a long ball over the top of Liverpool’s defence and in a foot race between Saka and Andy Robertson, there was only going to be one winner.

Saka took one touch to control White’s pass before using a second to put himself in position to blast past a helpless Caoimhin Kelleher with his third.

It was a devastating finish from the England man, who, at 23 years and 52 days, became the youngest Arsenal player to bring up a half-century of Premier League goals.

The Reds delivered an emphatic reply just nine minutes later.

Arsenal, so often the wizards at corners, were provided a dose of their own medicine when Luis Diaz shook clear of Kai Havertz at the near post to flick on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner before Van Dijk outmuscled Thomas Partey to head home.

Arne Slot’s side might have hoped to build on their equaliser, but Arsenal assumed control.

Saka looked menacing every time he was on the ball and midway