Stadium: The Emirates Stadium
Arsenal: Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Monreal, Maitland-Niles, Wilshere, Xhaka, Iwobi, Ozil, Sanchez, Lacazette.
Substitutes: Ospina, Walcott, Mustafi, Welbeck, Kolasinac, Coquelin, Elneny.
Liverpool: Mignolet, Gomez, Lovren, Klavan, Robertson, Mane, Henderson, Can, Coutinho, Salah, Firmino.
Substitutes: Karius, Wijnaldum, Milner, Lallana, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Solanke, Alexander-Arnold.
First Half
The game starts off with both sides sussing each other up. Arsenal get the first opportunity with Lacazette pouncing on a loose ball on the box and passes it to Xhaka, whose effort is blocked off Lovren. Liverpool are then dealt a body blow with their skipper having to come off due to a hamstring injury, and is replaced by Milner who takes over the armband as well. The game is concentrated in the middle with Arsenal preferring to sit deep while defending. Liverpool get their first chance as Robertson’s cross is headed at goal by Firmino, only to be palmed away for a corner by Cech. Arsenal then get a small chance as Sanchez and Lacazette combine, but cannot get a shot on goal.
Liverpool then go ahead in the game as a neat 1-2 between Coutinho and Milner releases Salah down the right-hand side. His attempted pass is deflected onto the path of Coutinho, who beautifully guides a ‘lovely cushioned header’ past an on-rushing Cech.
Arsenal 0 – 1 Liverpool
The goal seems to release the shackles on the game as both teams take turns to lose the ball, regain it, only to lose it right after. Liverpool get the next chance as Firmino receives the ball on the edge of the box and his curling effort just goes over a diving Cech. Liverpool are then awarded a free kick and a clever attempt from Coutinho gets the ball to Lovren who cannot make much out of a good opportunity. Arsenal try to regain control on the game, but Liverpool snuff out any potential threats to their goal.
Liverpool are presented with a double chance in the 44th minute. First, Koscielny slips at an inopportune moment releasing Salah. His shot is denied by Cech and the rebound falls to Mane, whose acrobatic volley goes over the bar. Mane gets on the ball again in the following phase of play and squares a ball to Salah, who incredulously fails to control it, considering his form. The referee then blows the half-time whistle couple of minutes after.
Half Time : Arsenal 0-1 Liverpool
Second Half
The second half starts with Arsenal on a mission to reduce their deficit as Mustafi replaced Monreal. Liverpool start as how they ended the first half with Mane’s shot saved by Cech. Liverpool double their lead with a glorious counter-attack yet again. Firmino gets on the right side and drags the Arsenal midfield with him. He then lays the ball to the King of Egypt, who slots the ball past Cech courtesy a deflection of Mustafi
Arsenal 0 – 2 Liverpool
Arsenal immediately respond as Gomez switches off at the far post, allowing Sanchez to head the ball past Mignolet.
Arsenal 1 – 2 Liverpool
Arsenal attack yet again and Xhaka collects the ball in the midfield and unleashes a shot at goal, where Mignolet allows the ball to travel through his hands and into the net. Game on!
Arsenal 2 – 2 Liverpool
Arsenal are on a high as they attack in search of the winning goal, and the turn-around is complete as Ozil plays a neat 1-2 with Lacazette. Ozil collects the return pass and coolly lifts the ball over Mignolet into the bottom corner.
Arsenal 3 – 2 Liverpool
The onus now is firmly back on Liverpool to rescue at least a point. Arsenal are exposed at the back as Mane collects a wonderful cross from Coutinho. His shot is blocked by Cech, and Mane’s poor touch on the rebound ends any further threat. Lacazette attempt at the other end is then blocked well by Dejan Lovren, and Bellerin then follows it up with a low cross towards the middle, only to be cut out by Klavan.
Liverpool then level the scores in this mad game as Firmino is given space and time to shoot from the edge of the box and his powerful shot is partially parried by Cech, but still ends up at the back of the net.
Arsenal 3 – 3 Liverpool
Liverpool’s equaliser seemed to have given the control back to the away side as both teams make substitutions in this late stage. Sanchez’s shot is saved well by Mignolet. Liverpool then go on a counter-attacking run via Wijnaldum, who passes the ball to Salah who can only hit the side netting. As the match approaches the last minute of stoppage time, Ozil pounces on a partial clearance from Lovren, but his shot goes over the ball to bring down the curtains on this enthralling game.
Full Time: Arsenal 3 – 3 Liverpool
