LEAGUES: EPL

Arsenal hold Liverpool at Anfield in top of the table clash

by Tamojit Chakraborty December 27, 2023

Arsenal held Liverpool to an entertaining 1-1 draw in front of a vociferous Anfield on Saturday evening. The result means that the Gunners will head into Christmas top of the table, just one ahead of Liverpool with 40 points from 18 games in the season.

It was the visitors who started the better of the two sides as they took the lead in the 4^th minute. Center-back Gabriel Magalhaes rose highest to direct home a header from Martin Odegaard’s freekick before Mikel Arteta’s side were lucky not to concede a penalty midway in the first half. Replays showed that the ball hit Odegaard’s left hand in the box, but VAR waved away the penalty appeal.

Despite falling behind, Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated proceedings and it was Mohamed Salah who smashed in from inside the box in the 29^th minute to restore parity going into the tunnel.

The hosts continued their superiority in the second half and came close to scoring the second when Joe Gomez just curled wide. It was then Trent Alexander-Arnold who struck the post in the 72^nd minute as Arsenal survived a Liverpool onslaught to grab a vital away point.

As it happened

Liverpool and Arsenal have a monumental top-of-the-table clash on Saturday, and this page has all live updates in the fixture. Entering the matchday, Arsenal holds a one-point edge on Liverpool to hold the top spot in the Premier League table. Therefore, the winner of this game will go to the top of the table. Importantly, that is before Christmas.

WHO	Liverpool vs Arsenal
WHAT	English Premier League
WHEN	12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT • Saturday, December 23, 2023
WHERE	NBC, Telemundo, Peacock Premium, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, and Sling Blue
FREE TRIAL	WATCH NOW

The league leader at Christmas has long been a gauge of the remainder of the season. Since the 2009/10 season began, the league leaders at Christmas went on to win the league 10 out of 14 seasons. That included Leicester City in the 2015/16 season and Liverpool in the 2019/20 campaign when it ended its title drought. Last season, though, Arsenal led before Boxing Day. Manchester City usurped the title from the Gunners late in the season.

It still sets up a pivotal game for the remainder of the season. With Aston Villa nipping at both clubs’ heels, a draw opens the door for the Villans to jump these two clubs.

LIVE: Arsenal travels to Liverpool in top-of-the-table clash

Both of these clubs have been on sensational campaigns this season. Deservedly so, they are the top contenders to dethrone Manchester City’s hegemony in the Premier League. Consequently, this is not an easy game for either team.

Liverpool suffered a draw in league play last time out against Manchester United. Despite United missing a chunk of key players and playing on dismal form, Liverpool could not break down the United defense. Arsenal got back to winning ways with a strong win over Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend. Mikel Arteta’s side can take advantage of its lack of a game midweek to pounce on Liverpool. The Reds swatted aside West Ham in the League Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.

PHOTO: IMAGO.

02:26PM

Full Time: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal will be the happier of the two sides as it finishes 1-1

02:15PM

84' Salah goes into the book

The Egyptian is shown a yellow for bringing down Nketiah. Now the Arsenal striker is also booked for fouling Endo.

Can either side get a winner?

02:09PM

77' Arsenal make a switch

Nketiah is on for Jesus

02:03PM

71' How have Liverpool not scored

Elliot's drive takes a deflection on its way out. That was close. Seconds later, Liverpool are 4 on 2 and Alexander-Arnold hits the post. How have the Reds not scored there. Unbelievable

01:59PM

67' Both side make changes

Diaz has to come off for an injury as Elliot replaces the Colombian.

Gakpo and Jones also come off for Nunez and Gravenberch.

Arsenal send Trossard on for Martinelli.

01:51PM

60' The game seems to have calmed down a bit

Arsenal haven't created anything this half as the pace is slowed down a little.

01:43PM

52' Its end to end

This is nothing short of a spectacle. Both teams are trading punches. Gomez almost gives his side the lead as he curls just wide, Arsenal are all over the place.

01:40PM

49' Rice goes into the book

The midfielder is shown the yellow for holding back Gakpo

01:37PM

46' Underway in the second half

The hosts get the ball rolling

01:20PM

Half Time: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

It's all square the break. The second half promises to be a cracker.

Endo and Havertz both receive a yellow for respective fouls.

01:13PM

41' Big chance for Arsenal

Saka is through on goal as Alisson commits. But the English winger gives the ball away as falls to Martinelli who drags it wide. What a chance for the visitors.

01:09PM

38' Can Liverpool get in front before the break

The Reds are in full flow and will look to grab the getaway goal before the first-half whistle.

Saka is booked for barging down Jones.

01:04PM

33' Liverpool forced to make a switch

Tsimikasbundles into Klopp on the sidelines as Saka fouls him. There is a break in play as the left back receives treatment. Gomes replaces him.

12:59PM

29' Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

Its a brilliant ball from Alexander-Arnold to find Salah in the right wing and the Egyptian gets past Zinchenko and smashes it in. Poor defending from Zinchenko there.

12:50PM

21' VAR says no penalty

Odegaard is lucky as the ball hits his left hand in the box but VAR confirms that's not enough for a penalty.

Arsenal have some great possession and following the buildup, Odegaard shoots wide

12:44PM

15' Arsenal are being brave as Liverpool come close

Jesus comes close after a great Arsenal break. In a matter of seconds, Liverpool go up the pitch and Salah misses a sitter to put it in the side-netting.

12:40PM