Arsenal gave Liverpool a guard of honour and then a reminder of why it was the only team to challenge the Reds in their romp to the Premier League title as the Gunners hit back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at a sun-drenched Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool dominated the first half with a header by Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz’s tap-in in the space of 90 seconds putting it 2-0 ahead.
Arsenal looked deflated after being knocked out of the Champions League semifinals in midweek, but mustered an admirable response after the break with Gabriel Martinelli’s header reducing the arrears just after halftime.
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Mikel Merino then headed in a rebound to make it 2-2 in the 70th minute after Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard’s piledriver was pushed against the woodwork by Alisson.
Merino was sent off nine minutes later for a lunging tackle on Dominik Szoboszlai, but the 10-man visitors clung on for a point and almost won it as Odegaard sent a shot just wide of the post deep in stoppage time.
Liverpool, which wrapped up its record-equalling 20th English title a fortnight ago, has 83 points from 36 games, with Arsenal second on 68 and still not guaranteed a top-five finish that would ensure Champions League football next season.
