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 2-2 Liverpool
63 mins: Strange defending from Liverpool as Thiago and then Van Dijk and then Tsimikas all miss a cross from Tomiyasu. They get away with it as the ball then brushes Saka’s arm before he can control it.
Liverpool are level but they’re back to being shaky. They have not grown from the goal as they did in the first half.
Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
60 mins: Gomez leans into Martinelli and sends him flying as they contest a ball on the touchline. The home fans don’t like that, while Jesus is back and continuing for Arsenal.
The ball then sits up nicely for Xhaka after a lovely flick inside the box but the rather optimistic volley goes over.
Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
57 mins: Big concern for Arsenal - Jesus is down and there are a lot of worried faces on both sides.
Odegaard was already down from the previous move and then Jesus and Tsimikas seemed to collide as they tried to avoid Odegaard. The left elbow from Tsimikas seems to swing into Jesus’s face. The Brazilian is sitting up and VAR is not checking it for foul play - it seemed accidental from the defender, and there’s a hug between them.
Jesus will need to be checked for a head injury.
Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
56 mins: There are more goals to come here, that’s for certain. Arsenal win a succession of corners down the right as White overlaps but Matip put the cross behind. Liverpool clear but Saka wriggles away from Jota and wins the foul on the right.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool (FIRMINO 53’)
WOW! Just as you think this game is going in one direction, it switches to another!
It’s a stunning finish from Firmino and Liverpool are level once more. They cut Arsenal open through Jota and the reverse ball catches out Gabriel and Saliba. Firmino, on the angle and on his weaker foot, is left with a lot to do but the shot is placed beyond Ramsdale and off the far post!
What a game!
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
51 mins: Liverpool look shaky. A ball forward to Jesus causes panic before Alisson shanks a clearance.
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
49 mins: Chance! Rinse and repeat. Martinelli is in frightening form and beats Matip to the ball before finding Odegaard, who is in space in the middle. The shot is straight down Alisson’s throat from outside of the box.
Liverpool are here for the taking at the start of this half and Arsenal look up for it.
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
47 mins: CHANCE! It could quite easily be 3-1 Arsenal. Martinelli torches Gomez with the run down the left, before squaring. The ball gets stuck beneath Matip and Van Dijk has to block Jesus’s shot. Liverpool then scramble clear.
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