Arsenal vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Saka wins huge five-goal thriller
Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool: Saka’s late penalty moves Gunners top after visitors had twice equalised
Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table as Bukayo Saka’s late penalty earned them a vital win over Liverpool, whose struggles continued.
Arsenal made the perfect start as they took the lead after just 58 seconds, with Gabriel Martinelli finishing their first attack following a clever pass from Martin Odegaard.
But Liverpool responded well and were the better side as they found the equaliser through Darwin Nunez, only for Jurgen Klopp’s side to concede on the counter-attack on the stroke of half time as Bukayo Saka finished off a move at the back post.
Roberto Firmino’s excellent finish moved Liverpool level once again but Saka’s late penalty - awarded for a foul on Gabriel Jesus and after some chaotic defending - sealed a huge win as Mikel Arteta’s side hung on for a statement victory at the Emirates.
Reaction from Arsenal vs Liverpool below, with Everton vs Manchester United to follow:
Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool
88 mins: Elliott springs some life into Liverpool as they launch an attack down the right. It ends up breaking to Elliott in the box, he beats Tierney to the ball and then goes down. Penalty? There’s not much contact. It’s waved away.
Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool
85 mins: The switch has flicked in the Arsenal heads. Liverpool can’t win the ball back and Arsenal are far sharper in picking up the second balls. Xhaka fouls Thiago as Liverpool eventually get the ball back.
Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool
83 mins: Arsenal have switched to a back five and Jesus suddenly looks a little lost as he comes forward after winning the ball off Thiago. But Arsenal recycle possession and go again - just what they need.
Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool
81 mins: It gets a bit ragged in the middle of the pitch, before Nunez is caught offside. Arsenal just need to keep calm and keep control of the ball. This is a huge 15 minutes in Arteta’s reign. Odegaard is replaced by Tierney.
Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool
77 mins: A crazy game - and now Liverpool will have to come from behind for a third time. They win a corner after threatening down the left but nothing comes of it.
But no Salah, no Diaz, no Alexander-Arnold... and with just one sub left to go.
Harvey Elliott comes on for Jota in Liverpool’s final change.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool (SAKA 76’)
Huge goal! And what a penalty from Saka! He keeps his cool to beat Alisson, who went the right away. But the finish from Saka was too low, too controlled, and Arsenal lead for the third time.
The penalty will be questioned, the defending from Liverpool cannot be.
Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool PENALTY TO ARSENAL!
My word - some of the worst defending you may see. Liverpool had countless chances to clear but the Arsenal pressure continued and Jesus is clipped from behind by Thiago.
Xhaka and Henderson are then separated as the Liverpool captain protested.
Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
72 mins: Close! Liverpool are hanging on. Konate dives in on Odegaard and suddenly Martinelli is in space on the left. He dances inside but can’t find room for the shot, before coming back out to Xhaka. His cross is thrashed away by Konate.
Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
68 mins: This feels like a big chance for Arsenal, not just to win but to put down their statement. Liverpool are again there for the taking.
And now Salah has been taken off for Fabinho, while Konate replaces Matip.
Huge call from Klopp.
Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
65 mins: Strange. Again. Liverpool suddenly fly forward through Jota, with all four attackers in position. But Jota opts to switch to Salah, rather than slipping in Nunez, and the ball runs out of play.
Fabinho is set to come on for Liverpool.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments