Liverpool collect dramatic point vs. Arsenal behind Skrtel's equalizer
Martin Skrtel powered home a header deep into stoppage time to earn 10-man Liverpool a 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
A week after failing to take a host of chances in the defeat at Manchester United it seemed a pattern was emerging after Arsenal recovered from Philippe Coutinho's opener to lead with goals from Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud. The dismissal of substitute Fabio Borini in the second of nine minutes of stoppage time - directly as a result of a head injury to Skrtel - appeared to have put paid to the Reds' chances only for the Slovakia international to power home a header, thus forcing a draw.
It was celebrated like a winner and who knows how pivotal a goal it may turn out to be in the context of a season in which inconsistency has been the only consistent factor for the Merseysiders. Arsenal can realistically have few complaints having been completely outplayed in the first half and some of the second but the point undoubtedly meant much more to their visitors, who have now strung together three decent performances in a week.
It may not have been the devastating first 20 minutes seen on this ground back in March when a stunned Gunners found themselves 4-0 down but the first half was probably as well as Liverpool had played all season. The old fast-paced pressing and tempo had returned led by the unlikely figures of Lazar Markovic and Coutinho, who aside from snapping at the heels of their opponents were providing a much-needed injection of attacking thrust, with the latter an early free-kick which Steven Gerrard could not capitalise from.
Adam Lallana, whose movement was cleverly providing the link between midfield and attack, and Markovic both had chances as Liverpool's dominance of possession continued to produce opportunities but the former fired over and Wojciech Szczesny denied the latter. Some of the pre-match billing had centred around comparisons between Alexis Sanchez, the striker Liverpool wanted as a Luis Suarez replacement in the summer, and Raheem Sterling, the man currently being asked to deputise in the injured Daniel Sturridge's absence, but neither had much impact in the first half.
The threat of Sterling's pace kept the visitors' defence on their toes but he had only one real run at them which teed up Markovic to curl over with a first-time shot. Sanchez, scorer of 14 goals this season, was virtually anonymous but his most significant contribution came when he won and then took the free-kick which led to Arsenal's equaliser with virtually the last touch of the half.
Liverpool had just gone ahead through Coutinho's second goal of the season, a richly-deserved effort for both the team and individual. Giroud gave the ball away to Jordan Henderson who picked out his Brazilian team-mate on the edge of the area and he shifted the ball onto his right foot before firing in off the far post.
That appeared to be that but in added time Debuchy outjumped Skrtel after Mertesacker and Mathieu Flamini, fortunate not to escape a second yellow card for catching Lallana in the face, both won headers from Sanchez's free-kick. The delay for a nasty cut to Skrtel's head caused by the accidental boot of Giroud affected the flow of play early in the second half but the pace picked up again when Szczesny's ill-advised charge out of goal saw Sterling cross for Gerrard to loop over a diving header.
But while Liverpool were missing their chances there was nothing wrong with Arsenal's cutting edge and from a counter-attack down their left Giroud exchanged passes with Santi Cazorla to guide a first-time shot through the legs of Brad Jones. Two efforts on target, two goals scored. It appeared to be a classic snatch-and-grab from Arsenal. When Szczesny tipped over substitute Fabio Borini's header and turned aside Sterling's shot it only further highlighted the host's previous issues up front.
Borini's second yellow card for a high challenge on Cazorla, having already been booked for throwing the ball away, just added further insult. But with two minutes of the additional time remaining Skrtel powered home Lallana's corner.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
