Arsenal earned a 2-2 draw in a controversial day at The Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners went ahead early with the returning Bukayo Saka reminding of his starboy status with a stunning finish.
Virgil van Dijk soon levelled when Arsenal switched off from a corner.
The home team took the lead again before half time through their own set-piece, when Mikel Merino met Declan Rice’s incredible delivery to head home his first Gunners goal.
Arsenal’s injury luck got worse early in the second half when ever-present Gabriel had to be subbed.
This saw Arsenal drop deeper as they looked to hold on to their lead with so many of their recognised XI not on the field. This was compounded when with 20 minutes to go, Jurrien Timber, who was returning from injury, could not continue. 17-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly was again trusted to fill in at left-back.
Liverpool took advantage of the unfamiliarity of the back four to draw level through Mohamed Salah.
Arsenal then thought they’d won it in the 90th minute, but the ref somehow saw a foul in the build-up and blew up before the ball crossed the line, meaning VAR could not get involved.
Rate the players below and see the fan averages, and scroll down to see my ratings.Â
Here’s how I rated the players:
David Raya – 7
Thomas Partey – 10
Ben White – 8
Gabriel – 7
Jurrien Timber- 7
Declan Rice – 9
Mikel Merino – 8
Leandro Trossard – 7
Kai Havertz – 7
Bukayo Saka – 8
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Men of the match: Thomas Partey. Many worried how Arsenal would reassemble their defence with so many absent. Partey was the one to drop into an unfamiliar role at full back, and he was excellent.