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Match Report

Barclays Premier League

Sunday, 21 December 2014,

Liverpool
2
-
Full Time
Live
-
2
Arsenal
  • Kickoff: 17:00 BST
  • Stadium: Anfield
  • Referee: -
  • Stadium: Anfield
  • Attendance: 44,703
  • 45' Philippe Coutinho
  • 91' Fabio Borini
  • 91' Martin Skrtel
  • 46' Mathieu Debuchy
  • 65' Olivier Giroud

Liverpool

Half time

Full time

Arsenal

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Markovic is improving - Rodgers

Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic looks like he is starting to finally settle into English football after manager Brendan Rodgers urged him to be more aggressive.

That advice backfired when he was sent off just 15 minutes after coming on as a substitute in the club's Champions League exit against Basle last week after flailing an arm into an opponent's face.

However, employed on the left-hand side of a midfield four, requiring more defensive effort than he is used to, against Bournemouth on Wednesday the 20-year-old impressed and scored his first goal for the club.

"I thought it was a great finish. I thought he was excellent in a role where we asked different tactical elements from him," said Rodgers.

"His energy and quality was good and he was a real threat for us."

Rodgers added on liverpoolfc.com: "It has taken him a bit of time to get going and we have talked to him about being more aggressive in his game.

"In the 15 minutes before he got sent off against Basle - and it was disappointing that he was sent off - because he started really well. That's the Markovic that we know.

"Playing in that role (against Bournemouth) he was outstanding; he was defensively good and pressed the ball at almost all of the right times, so tactically he was very good.

"And with the ball his speed and movement was excellent. He has got good quality and is a good footballer. It is pleasing. At 20 years of age, he looks like he is improving all the time."

Markovic cost Liverpool B£20million when he moved from Benfica as one of Europe's brightest talents but he has so far failed to show many glimpses of his potential.

The Serbia international will hope he did enough in midweek to retain a place to face Arsenal at home on Sunday.

Liverpool need a good performance against the in-form Gunners, who have scored four goals in their last two matches in the Premier League and Europe.

They have scored just seven goals in eight matches at Anfield in the league this season, goals which have produced just 12 points at home, and they are five points adrift of sixth-placed Arsenal before this weekend's matches.

Having lost to Manchester United last weekend to fall 10 points behind their arch-rivals they can ill-afford another defeat to a top-four rival.

Asked what a victory over Arsenal would do for their season, never mind their confidence, Rodgers added: Internally, it will continue our spirit and our focus.

"For us it will good for confidence. But it will be a difficult game.

"They are a top side with outstanding players. They did okay at home last week winning 4-1 against Newcastle and they played really well.

"They have outstanding players but we will look to focus on ourselves."

Defender Dejan Lovren faces a late test to see whether he has recovered from the groin problem which forced him off against Bournemouth but it seems likely Mamadou Sakho could deputise in a newly-formed back three, which would be his first start in the league since mid-September.

Arsene Wenger has hailed the talents of Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling ahead of Sunday's clash.

Sterling was influential as Wenger's Arsenal side lost 5-1 at Anfield in February, scoring twice as the Gunners conceded four times in the opening 20 minutes and their title challenge unravelled.

With Luis Suarez now at Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge out through injury, Liverpool have become increasingly reliant on Sterling and Wenger has high regard for the 20-year-old England forward.

"I rate him highly, Sterling," Wenger said.

"Everybody speaks about Suarez last year, but let's not forget Sturridge and Sterling are very, very influential.

"I think he is one of the great players in England."

Wenger declined to offer a reason why Liverpool, runners-up in the Premier League last term, are toiling so much this season.

"It's difficult for me to assess our direct opponent, two or three days before," he said.

"I expect to play against a very good team. This season they have a heavy schedule, like we have, playing Champions League games, Premier League games and it's very demanding."

He is relishing returning to Anfield for the first time since February's humbling experience.

"I have a lot of respect for the crowd at Liverpool, because they stand behind their team," Wenger added.

"There's a special atmosphere. I remember one day we were leading 5-1 at Liverpool and they were chanting 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

"It's one of the few grounds in the world where you can see that.

"There is a special combination of knowledge of the game at Liverpool and of support of their team. I have a huge respect for that."

91'+9

End Regular Time

91'+9

Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) Shot Blocked at 100'

91'+9

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 100'

91'+9

Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Martin Skrtel.

91'+9

Nacho Monreal (Arsenal) Corner Kick at 100'

91'+9

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Shot On Target at 99'

91'+9

Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 99'

91'+8

Lucas (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 99'

91'+7

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 98'

91'+7

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 98'

91'+7

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 98'

91'+7

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 98'

91'+6

2 - 2

Goal! Liverpool 2, Arsenal 2. Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Adam Lallana with a cross following a corner.

91'+6

Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 97'

91'+5

Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 96'

91'+5

Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) Throw In at 96'

91'+4

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Throw In at 95'

91'+4

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Per Mertesacker.

91'+4

Attempt saved. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lucas Leiva.

91'+4

Lucas (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 95'

91'+4

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Throw In at 94'

91'+3

Substitution, Arsenal. Nacho Monreal replaces Alexis Sánchez.

91'+2

Attempt missed. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho.

91'+2

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 93'

91'+2

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Free Kick at 93'

91'+2

Santi Cazorla

91'+2

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

91'+2

Wojciech Szczesny (Arsenal) Free Kick at 93'

91'+1

Fabio Borini

91'+1

Santiago Cazorla (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

91'

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Wojciech Szczesny.

91'

Attempt saved. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Steven Gerrard.

91'

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 91'

90'

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) Throw In at 90'

90'

Substitution, Arsenal. Joel Campbell replaces Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

90'

Fabio Borini

88'

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Wojciech Szczesny.

88'

Fabio Borini (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 88'

88'

Attempt saved. Fabio Borini (Liverpool) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Steven Gerrard.

88'

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 88'

87'

Attempt missed. Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho with a cross following a corner.

87'

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 87'

87'

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Santiago Cazorla.

87'

Fabio Borini (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 87'

87'

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Wojciech Szczesny.

87'

Attempt saved. Fabio Borini (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Raheem Sterling with a cross.

87'

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 87'

86'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 86'

86'

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 86'

86'

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) Throw In at 86'

86'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 86'

85'

Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

84'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Throw In at 84'

83'

Francis Coquelin (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 83'

83'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 83'

82'

Substitution, Arsenal. Francis Coquelin replaces Olivier Giroud.

81'

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) Throw In at 81'

81'

Substitution, Liverpool. Rickie Lambert replaces Kolo Touré.

80'

Kolo Touré (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 80'

80'

Attempt blocked. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Fabio Borini.

80'

Fabio Borini (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 80'

79'

Brad Jones (Liverpool) Free Kick at 79'

79'

Foul by Danny Welbeck (Arsenal).

78'

Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool) Throw In at 78'

77'

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 77'

77'

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) Throw In at 77'

76'

Attempt missed. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Adam Lallana.

76'

Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 76'

76'

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 76'

75'

Attempt missed. Lucas Leiva (Liverpool) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jordan Henderson.

75'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 75'

75'

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 75'

74'

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) Free Kick at 74'

74'

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

74'

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) Throw In at 74'

74'

Substitution, Liverpool. Fabio Borini replaces Lazar Markovic.

72'

Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 72'

72'

Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool) Throw In at 72'

71'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Throw In at 71'

70'

Attempt saved. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Lazar Markovic.

70'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 70'

70'

Attempt saved. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jordan Henderson.

70'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 69'

69'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 69'

68'

Attempt missed. Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) left footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Adam Lallana.

68'

Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 68'

66'

Attempt blocked. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Adam Lallana.

66'

Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 66'

65'

1 - 2

Goal! Liverpool 1, Arsenal 2. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Santiago Cazorla.

65'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 64'

63'

Attempt missed. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Alexis Sánchez.

63'

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 63'

62'

Attempt missed. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.

62'

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 62'

61'

Attempt missed. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Lazar Markovic.

61'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 61'

61'

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Free Kick at 61'

61'

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.

60'

Attempt missed. Lucas Leiva (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.

59'

Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Lucas Leiva.

59'

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Corner Kick at 59'

59'

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Free Kick at 59'

59'

Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

59'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Throw In at 58'

58'

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Calum Chambers.

58'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 58'

58'

Brad Jones (Liverpool) Free Kick at 58'

51'

Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

51'

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) Throw In at 51'

50'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 50'

49'

Attempt missed. Santiago Cazorla (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.

48'

Attempt missed. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation.

48'

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Free Kick at 48'

47'

Mathieu Debuchy

47'

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.

46'

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) Throw In at 46'

46'

Second Half begins Liverpool 1, Arsenal 1.

46'+1

First Half ends, Liverpool 1, Arsenal 1.

46'+1

1 - 1

Goal! Liverpool 1, Arsenal 1. Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal) header from very close range to the top left corner. Assisted by Mathieu Flamini with a headed pass following a set piece situation.

46'+1

Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 47'

46'+1

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Free Kick at 47'

46'

Foul by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool).

45'

1 - 0

Goal! Liverpool 1, Arsenal 0. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Jordan Henderson.

45'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 45'

45'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Throw In at 44'

44'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Throw In at 44'

43'

Kolo Touré (Liverpool) Free Kick at 43'

43'

Foul by Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal).

42'

Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool) Throw In at 42'

41'

Kolo Touré (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 41'

39'

Attempt missed. Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Raheem Sterling.

39'

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 39'

39'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Throw In at 38'

38'

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 38'

38'

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Free Kick at 38'

38'

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.

37'

Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool) Throw In at 37'

37'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 37'

37'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 37'

36'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 36'

35'

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Wojciech Szczesny.

35'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 35'

35'

Attempt saved. Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom right corner.

34'

Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) Free Kick at 34'

34'

Lucas Leiva (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

32'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 32'

32'

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 32'

30'

Attempt saved. Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Adam Lallana.

30'

Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 30'

29'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 29'

28'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 28'

28'

Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 28'

27'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Free Kick at 27'

27'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.

26'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Free Kick at 25'

25'

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.

24'

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 24'

24'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 24'

23'

Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Mamadou Sakho.

23'

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Corner Kick at 23'

23'

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 23'

22'

Attempt missed. Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Alexis Sánchez.

22'

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Assists Shot at 22'

22'

Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 22'

21'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 21'

21'

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) Throw In at 21'

20'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 20'

20'

Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

20'

Attempt missed. Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Steven Gerrard with a cross following a corner.

20'

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 20'

19'

Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Corner Kick at 19'

19'

Attempt blocked. Adam Lallana (Liverpool) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lazar Markovic.

19'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 19'

18'

Olivier Giroud (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 18'

18'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Throw In at 18'

18'

Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool) Throw In at 18'

17'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 17'

16'

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) Throw In at 16'

14'

Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Mathieu Debuchy.

14'

Attempt blocked. Adam Lallana (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Steven Gerrard.

14'

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 14'

14'

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Free Kick at 14'

14'

Mathieu Flamini

13'

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

13'

Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool) Throw In at 13'

13'

Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 13'

13'

Adam Lallana (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 13'

12'

Attempt missed. Adam Lallana (Liverpool) left footed shot from the left side of the box is too high. Assisted by Lazar Markovic.

12'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Assists Shot at 12'

11'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Throw In at 11'

11'

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) Throw In at 11'

10'

Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Throw In at 10'

9'

Lazar Markovic (Liverpool) Throw In at 9'

9'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 9'

8'

Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) Free Kick at 8'

7'

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

7'

Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) Throw In at 7'

5'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 5'

5'

Danny Welbeck (Arsenal) Blocked Pass at 5'

5'

Brad Jones (Liverpool) Free Kick at 5'

4'

Offside, Arsenal. Kieran Gibbs tries a through ball, but Alexis Sánchez is caught offside.

4'

Mamadou Sakho (Liverpool) Throw In at 4'

3'

Attempt missed. Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left from a direct free kick.

2'

Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

1'

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Free Kick at 1'

1'

Raheem Sterling (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

1'

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Blocked Pass at 1'

1'

Calum Chambers (Arsenal) Throw In at 1'

1'

First Half begins.

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Possession

64%
37%
  • Liverpool
  • Arsenal

Shots

27
7

Shots on target

10
3

Fouls

6
14

Corners

10
6

Yellow Cards

0
3

Red Cards

1
0

Head to Head

Liverpool2 - 2Arsenal
Arsenal2 - 1Liverpool
Liverpool5 - 1Arsenal
Arsenal2 - 0Liverpool
Arsenal2 - 2Liverpool
Liverpool0 - 2Arsenal

Liverpool

  • 1Brad Jones
  • 17Mamadou Sakho
  • 4Kolo Touré
  • -> Rickie Lambert
  • 14Jordan Henderson
  • 50Lazar Markovic
  • -> Fabio Borini
  • 31Raheem Sterling
  • 37Martin Skrtel
  • 8Steven Gerrard
  • 20Adam Lallana
  • 10Philippe Coutinho
  • 21Lucas
  • Subs
  • 23Emre Can
  • 3José Enrique
  • 18Alberto Moreno
  • 19Javi Manquillo
  • 22Simon Mignolet

Arsenal

  • 1Wojciech Szczesny
  • 2Mathieu Debuchy
  • 21Calum Chambers
  • 3Kieran Gibbs
  • 4Per Mertesacker
  • 15Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
  • -> Joel Campbell
  • 19Santi Cazorla
  • 12Olivier Giroud
  • -> Francis Coquelin
  • 20Mathieu Flamini
  • 17Alexis Sánchez
  • -> Nacho Monreal
  • 23Danny Welbeck
  • Subs
  • 9Lukas Podolski
  • 70Ainsley Maitland-Niles
  • 26Emiliano Martinez
  • 14Theo Walcott

Martin Skrtel salvages late Liverpool draw against Arsenal

Martin Skrtel scored an equaliser deep into injury time as Liverpool rescued a 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

After a first half that largely failed to ignite, the match sparked into action just before the break. Philippe Coutinho's neat turn allowed him the space to fire home off the post and give the Reds a deserved lead, but Arsenal hit back instantly when Mathieu Debuchy headed home following a free kick.

Liverpool might have restored their advantage in the second half when Raheem Sterling took the ball around Szczesny -- seemingly with the help of his hand -- before crossing for Steve Gerrard, but the Reds captain headed over the bar.

Not long afterwards, Olivier Giroud had put Arsenal in front, smashing home from close range after Santi Cazorla's cut-back.

That looked to have settled it, particularly after Fabio Borini was sent off late on, but Skrtel powered home a header from a corner to ensure the hosts took a deserved share of the spoils.

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.




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