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:
HALF TIME: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
Here’s the goal that put Arsenal back in front on the stroke of half time. The video doesn’t show it but Liverpool had possession from the free kick - allowing the counter attack was brainless to say the least.
As for Alexander-Arnold, it’s hard to defend this defending. He looks like he’s over-thinking everything at the moment.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
Quite a strange half. Arsenal took the lead after just 58 seconds and the ease in which they scored it suggested it may be a long afternoon for Liverpool. But the visitors clawed their way back into it and scored a deserved equaliser through Nunez, with Arsenal looking as if they would take going into half time level.
However, from a free kick on the halfway line, they were punished on the break by Arsenal. Again, Alexander-Arnold’s positioning and decision making is under question and Saka was allowed to tap in at the back post.
Can Liverpool get themselves back into it again?
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool (SAKA 45+5)
Right on the stroke of half time, Arsenal get themselves in front again! It came from a Liverpool free kick on the halfway line, after Odegaard was booked for fouling Jota. The cross from deep was cleared and Arsenal broke forward. Martinelli stood up Henderson in the box and his cross breaks towards the arriving Saka at the back post, who prods it over the line!
Alexander-Arnold is under the spotlight again. He left his position in the middle to help Henderson with Martinelli and left space in the middle for the cross. It’s a terrible goal for Liverpool, but a huge boost for Arsenal.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
45+2 mins: Saka wriggles himself to the byline on the right and wins Arsenal a corner late in the half...
It’s cleared by Nunez but Saka gets it back as Arsenal come forward again.
Odegaard gets on the ball in the box but Arsenal can’t get the shot away and Liverpool eventually scramble clear.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
45 mins: Arsenal have barely threatened since the opening stages as Jesus is closed out by Matip and Van Dijk in the box. There will be five added minutes.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
42 mins: That’s a blow for Liverpool. Diaz was offering so much threat down the left and in behind. Nunez helps Liverpool keep possession in the final third but Salah’s clipped cross runs through to Ramsdale.
It sounds as if there will be a several minutes added on at the end of the half.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
40 mins: Nunez is caught offside but there was only about 30 yards of space when Alexander-Arnold picked up the ball and Arsenal’s high line. Those are the risks.
Diaz is down again. This time he won’t continue and Firmino will replace him.
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
37 mins: Liverpool feel in charge now. Klopp’s side are threatening with balls over the top, playing through Arsenal’s high line. Diaz almost gets in again down the left but Saliba does enough. Thiago is seeing more of the ball now as well and it’s unsettled Arsenal.
There’s a slight concern for Klopp though as Diaz stays down briefly, but the winger is back up now even if there’s a slight hobble.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool (NUNEZ 33’)
And there it is! Liverpool are level!
From the throw that followed Ramsdale’s clearance, Liverpool go from back to front with a long ball. Gabriel flicked it on and Diaz scampered on to it. He then looks up and squares to Nunez, who finishes past Ramsdale from close range.
It had been coming, just.
That’s a big goal for Nunez, too. He ends his run of six games without a goal with his first since Fulham away on the opening day of the season.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments