Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool: Player ratings as Salah strike earns Reds point

Mohamed Salah's late strike helped Liverpool earn a point at an injury-ravaged Arsenal in their Premier League title clash on Sunday afternoon.

The returning Bukayo Saka made his mark promptly as he fired the Gunners into an early lead, but Virgil van Dijk equalised with an effort from a corner.

Mikel Merino's first goal for the Gunners just before half-time had put Mikel Arteta's side ahead until the 81st minute, when Salah found space to finish and expose the hosts' makeshift defence.

How the game unfolded

Arsenal were handed a big boost pre-match as it emerged both Saka and Jurrien Timber were fit to feature after their recent absences, helping to negate the massive loss of William Saliba to suspension.

It was Saka who provided the game's first moment of standout quality. A wonderful raking pass from Ben White was controlled expertly by the England winger, who left Andy Robertson scratching the turf with his turn and fired past Caoimhin Kelleher high at the near post.

That goal rocked Liverpool and Arne Slot, who had lost only one of his first 12 games in charge prior to Sunday's meeting. However, his side showed spirit to level proceedings soon after through their huge centre-back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner was met by a Flick from Luis Diaz, allowing Van Dijk the easiest of headers to restore parity at the Emirates.

Arsenal were nearly ahead again moments later, though Merino somehow diverted Declan Rice's free kick away from goal despite throwing himself enthusiastically at the delivery. Elsewhere it was Saka who looked the most dangerous, teasing Robertson with his dribbling.

It was the set-piece trick that worked for Arteta's side as they took the lead. After the cameras panned to their dedicated coach Nicolas Jover, Rice's cross whizzed over to Merino, who made good contact this time to bag his first Arsenal goal.

The hosts thought they had dealt with all their injury nightmares pre-game, but another scare was dished out when Gabriel Magalhaes hit the deck needing treatment. The Brazilian was unable to continue and ended up being replaced by Jakub Kiwior.

Liverpool made a triple substitution after the hour and began boxing Arsenal in their own half, though it didn't translate to immediate chances as Ryan Gravenberch blazed high and wide after a crunching tackle.

Havertz soon barged his way into the opposition box and tried to get past substitute Kostas Tsimikas, but the ball eventually trickled into Kelleher's grateful arms.

Liverpool finally put the killer move together as Alexander-Arnold brilliantly picked out Darwin Nunez, who had the awareness to slide the ball back to Salah to finish beyond David Raya's reach.

Timber had been forced to depart a few minutes before the goal, with a patched-up defence tasked with keeping the Reds from scoring a winner in the final 15 minutes. However, both sides held firm with the points ultimately shared after an entertaining spectacle.

Arsenal player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: David Raya - 6/10 - Made a couple of sharp stops and realistically could do little about Van Dijk's header.

RB: Thomas Partey - 7/10 - Dropped an assured performance filling in once again at right-back, making a number of vital tackles.

CB: Ben White - 8/10 - Moved infield to replace Saliba and showed his awesome range by picking out Saka for the opener. Did really well marshalling an unfamilar backline.

CB: Gabriel Magalhaes - 6/10 - Tangled with Nunez and led well in Saliba's absence. Unfortunately had to come off early in the second half.

LB: Jurrien Timber - 6/10 - A vital return to the starting XI for Timber, who was solid but done for pace by Salah a couple of times.

CM: Declan Rice - 7/10 - Great set-piece swung straight on to the head of Merino to put Arsenal ahead again. Offered seemingly limitless energy.

CM: Mikel Merino - 7/10 - Timed his run perfectly to nod in Rice's delivery and stopped Liverpool's midfielders from building any rythym.

RW: Bukayo Saka - 8/10 - Showed incredible composure early on to fire in his 50th Premier League goal. Was Arsenal's biggest threat though his influence waned as Liverpool took more control.

AM: Leandro Trossard - 4/10 - Didn't get too many opportunities in a tight midfield and could test Kelleher with any shots.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli - 6/10 - Got the chance to stretch his legs on the break and posed some questions, but didn't always get the final ball right.

ST: Kai Havertz - 5/10 - Showed he was up for the occasion with an early tussle with Van Dijk but placed his shots off target.

Substitutes

SUB: Jakub Kiwior (54' for Gabriel) - 7/10 - Made some important tackles in and around his box.

SUB: Myles Lewis-Skelly (76' for Timber) - 5/10

SUB: Gabriel Jesus (85' for Saka) - N/10

SUB: Ethan Nwaneri (85' for Martinelli) - N/A

Subs not used: Neto (GK), Josh Nichols, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho, Raheem Sterling.

Manager

Mikel Arteta - 7/10 - Came up with a plan to negate his side's casualties and it almost led to three points. However, further fitness issues at the back ultimately proved fatal to their hopes of winning.

Liverpool player ratings (4-3-3)

GK: Caoimhin Kelleher - 5/10 - Beaten by Saka's fierce shot at the near post.

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6/10 - Great corner led to Van Dijk equalising. Had struggled before picking out a brilliant pass which set the wheels in motion for Salah's levelling strike.

CB: Ibrahima Konate - 6/10 - Got across to snuff out some Arsenal counters but was dragged out of position a couple of times.

CB: Virgil van Dijk - 7/10 - Was in the right place at the right time to nod in from Diaz's flick. Was often on hand to halt any promising Arsenal attacks.

LB: Andy Robertson - 4/10 - Looked rather frightened against Saka after being skinned early on and came off around the hour mark.

CM: Curtis Jones - 5/10 - Couldn't silence any of Arsenal's attacking stars like he did to Cole Palmer last week.

CM: Ryan Gravenberch - 6/10 - Struggled to set the tempo for the visitors, who any started to apply consistent pressure on the Arsenal goal midway through the second half.

CM: Alexis Mac Allister - 4/10 - Ended up in the referee's book and struggled to assert himself in proceedings.

RW: Mohamed Salah - 8/10 - Showed great pace to get away from Timber but seemed to be off his teammates' wavelength at times. However, things came together for the Egyptian to strike.

ST: Darwin Nunez - 7/10 - Kept on running and got his reward as he teed up Salah to make it 2-2.

LW: Luis Diaz - 6/10 - Grabbed an assist with a flick to Van Dijk. However, the Colombian mistimed a few runs and didn't get many opportunities to showcase his dribbling.

Substitutes

SUB: Cody Gakpo (64' for Diaz) - 5/10

SUB: Dominik Szoboszlai (64' for Mac Allister) - 6/10

SUB: Kostas Tsimikas (64' for Robertson) - 6/10

SUB: Wataru Endo (91' for Jones) - N/A

Subs not used: Harvey Davies (GK), Vitezslav Jaros (GK), Jarell Quansah, Joe Gomez, Tyler Morton.

Manager

Arne Slot - 6/10 - His side were undone a little too easily at the back at times considering their previously strong defensive record. However, they took advantage of their opposition's absences to claim a point.

Player of the match - Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP