Sometimes football throws you a script that feels straight out of a movie.
Arsenal, stung from a painful Champions League exit, arrived at Anfield to face newly-crowned champions Liverpool—and for 45 minutes, it looked like they’d simply crumbled under the weight of that heartbreak.
But then came a second-half response that reminded everyone what they’re made of.
Liverpool Take Early Control with Quickfire Double
Arsenal barely had time to settle when Liverpool hit them with a one-two punch that left everyone stunned.
First, Cody Gakpo timed his run perfectly to meet Andy Robertson’s pinpoint cross and head home.
Before Arsenal could even regroup, Luis Díaz popped up to prod in a second from Dominik Szoboszlai’s clever delivery.
In just 60 seconds, Mikel Arteta’s men had gone from hopeful to hopeless.
The crowd at Anfield could sense a rout.
But that wasn’t the end of the story.
Martinelli Sparks Arsenal Comeback with Smart Header
After the break, Arsenal looked like a team transformed.
Gabriel Martinelli—quiet in the first half—stepped up with a beautifully guided header into the far corner after a sharp delivery, halving the deficit and giving Arsenal belief.
The momentum shifted. Suddenly, it was Liverpool who looked rattled.
Merino Finds the Equaliser Before Seeing Red
The equaliser came with just the kind of drama you’d expect from a clash like this.
After Martin Ødegaard’s fierce drive was tipped onto the post by Alisson, Mikel Merino was the quickest to react and nodded home the rebound.
Anfield fell silent as the visitors celebrated.
But Merino’s afternoon wasn’t over.
Moments later, he found himself walking off the pitch after a second yellow card for two quick fouls.
Arsenal were down to ten, but held firm.
Liverpool Push for Winner but VAR Steps In
With the man advantage, Liverpool pushed for a late winner and thought they had it when Andy Robertson bundled the ball home in the dying seconds.
But a VAR check ruled it out, and the game ended all square.
For Liverpool, it felt like two points dropped.
For Arsenal, it was a show of fight and character after being on the ropes early on.
Player Ratings: Liverpool
Alisson (6) – Made a fantastic save before the equaliser but couldn’t stop either goal.
Conor Bradley (7.5) – A fierce start with crunching tackles and powerful runs.
Subbed early due to fitness.
Ibrahima Konaté (7) – Solid passing but lost Martinelli for Arsenal’s opener.
Virgil van Dijk (6) – Composed but occasionally troubled by Martinelli.
Andy Robertson (7) – Brilliant assist for Gakpo and relentless energy down the flank.
Ryan Gravenberch (6.5) – Showed composure and flair in midfield.
Curtis Jones (7) – Started brightly but had a nervy moment trying to play out from the back.
Mohamed Salah (6) – Lively but wasteful and overcomplicated chances.
Dominik Szoboszlai (7.5) – Creative and industrious, key in Liverpool’s second goal.
Cody Gakpo (7) – Scored but went missing in the second half.
Luis Díaz (7) – Took his goal well and was a threat early on.
Subs: Mac Allister (6), Alexander-Arnold (6), Nunez (5), Jota, Elliott
Manager – Arne Slot (6.5) – Strong start, but team lost control in the second half.
Player Ratings: Arsenal
David Raya (6) – Had no chance with the goals but made vital saves.
Ben White (5) – Struggled against Gakpo and Díaz.
William Saliba (6) – Poor positioning for the opener, steadied later.
Jakub Kiwior (7) – Composed and sharp, especially covering on Salah.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (6) – Showed guts against Salah, a bit rash at times.
Martin Ødegaard (7.5) – Pulled strings in the second half and nearly won it.
Thomas Partey (6) – Missed a sitter and was inconsistent.
Mikel Merino (6) – Scored crucial goal but saw red—eventful shift.
Bukayo Saka (7.5) – Always looked dangerous, tested Robertson all day.
Leandro Trossard (7) – Assisted Martinelli and was lively despite a big miss.
Gabriel Martinelli (7.5) – Poor first half, but fantastic header and a shift as makeshift striker.
Subs: Calafiori, Tierney, Zinchenko
Manager – Mikel Arteta (7) – Made the right calls to turn the game around.
Final Thoughts: Fight, Fire and A Glimmer of Pride
It may not have been a win, but Arsenal’s fightback at Anfield felt like a small victory in itself after their European heartbreak.
Mikel Arteta’s men showed character, even if things got chaotic.
For Liverpool, it was a tale of missed chances and a second-half collapse that left fans scratching their heads.
Still, they’re champions—and they’ll take the point.