Champions held at home as Mikel Merino scores and sees red in dramatic second half
Liverpool 2–2 Arsenal: Points Shared in Top-Four Clash
Liverpool and Arsenal ended the weekend in a dramatic 2–2 draw at Anfield, where the Premier League champions were pegged back by a resilient Arsenal side. After going two goals down, Mikel Arteta’s team fought back in the second half to earn a crucial point in their push for Champions League qualification.
Reds Strike Twice in Two Minutes to Set the Tone
Liverpool made a fast start in front of a lively Anfield crowd. The home fans celebrated with a guard of honour from Arsenal, then roared as the Reds took control.
Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a powerful header from Andy Robertson’s quick cross. Just a minute later, Luis Díaz made it two. He slotted home after Dominik Szoboszlai sprinted through midfield and delivered an accurate cutback.
Liverpool pressed aggressively and kept Arsenal under pressure throughout the first half. They nearly added a third before the break.
Arsenal Mount Second-Half Fightback as Merino Stars and Stumbles
Arsenal responded with purpose after the break. Just two minutes into the second half, Gabriel Martinelli met Leandro Trossard’s cross and powered a header into the net to give the Gunners a lifeline.
Momentum swung their way. In the 70th minute, Mikel Ødegaard fired a shot that Alisson tipped onto the crossbar. Merino reacted quickly and finished the rebound calmly to level the score at 2–2.
But Merino’s impact didn’t last. Nine minutes after scoring, he lost the ball and then committed a reckless challenge outside his own penalty area. The referee showed him a second yellow card, forcing Arsenal to play the final 10 minutes with ten men.
Alexander-Arnold Booed as Liverpool Reflect and Rebuild
Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to the pitch for his first home appearance since confirming he will leave Liverpool this summer. Sections of the crowd booed him when he came on, but he almost silenced them with a curling free-kick that missed the post by inches.
Late in the game, Andy Robertson believed he had scored the winner. However, the referee ruled it out after Ibrahima Konaté fouled Myles Lewis-Skelly in the build-up.
Arsenal’s Point Keeps Champions League Qualification on Track
Arsenal couldn’t take full advantage of Liverpool’s rotated defence, but the draw keeps them second in the table. With only a few games remaining, they remain in control of their push for a Champions League spot.
Mikel Arteta will welcome the fight his side showed in the second half. Still, their inconsistency over 90 minutes remains a concern, especially following their Champions League semi-final exit.
Liverpool Remain Focused on the Future Under Slot
Arne Slot used the title-clinching match to rotate his squad and experiment. He gave Conor Bradley a start in place of the departing Alexander-Arnold and brought fresh energy into midfield. It’s clear he’s planning ahead for next season.
Liverpool didn’t claim the win, but they extended their unbeaten run and put in another energetic performance. Szoboszlai and Robertson stood out again with strong displays in midfield and defence.
Final Thoughts
Liverpool and Arsenal served up everything fans could want — early goals, a gritty comeback, a sending-off, and late drama. Arsenal left with a valuable point and took another step toward securing Champions League football. Meanwhile, Liverpool celebrated their title and kept their momentum alive as they prepare for a new era under Arne Slot.
