Liverpool – Arsenal

1. Hello and welcome to live commentary from Liverpool vs. Arsenal -- follow all the action from Anfield.

2. There were just two points between these two when they met last season, and both then were realistic title contenders. That isn't the case this time around...

3. Last season, by the time 20 minutes of this fixture had gone, Liverpool had scored four goals. Hard to see that happening again in the absence of both Suarez and Sturridge, and easier to imagine Arsenal, complete with the in-form Alexis Sanchez -- a man Liverpool wanted in the summer -- as today's bigger threat.

4. So Liverpool get things under way -- an excellent atmosphere at Anfield.

5. 1'

   Unlike last season, Arsenal have negotiated their way safely through the opening minute -- but suddenly Markovic has lots of space to run into. Mertesacker is going to challenge...

6. 2'

   ...and he is adjudged to have brought the Liverpool man down. This is the sort of free-kick, right on the edge of the box, that Steven Gerrard favours.

7. 3'

   Gerrard is the man over it, an he curls it towards the top right-hand corner -- but wide of it. Bright start from Liverpool, but Arsenal will be wondering exactly how they managed to give Markovic so much empty space to run into.

8. 4'

   Jones kicks downfield after Alexis Sanchez is caught offside. Arsenal look long for Welbeck after winning the ball back, but they can't keep possession.

9. 5'

   Markovic is looking lively, and another early run sees the ball fed to Coutinho, then Lucas... and then Liverpool are forced backwards.

10. 6'

    Gerrard plays a good ball down the left for Coutinho. Arsenal win it back, then give it away. The home side settling the better of the two as Sterling goes on a run but is then crowded out as he tries to make his way towards the Arsenal penalty area.

11. 7'

    At the other end, Lucas fouls Giroud as the Frenchman tries to get past him on the left. Free-kick to the Gunners, and a telling-off, rather than a booking, for Lucas.

12. 8'

    Good crossing position for the Gunners, and Cazorla will mastermind...

13. 8'

    ...Brad Jones takes charge of the situation, coming out to claim confidently.

14. 8'

    Jones is then closed down quickly as he tries to take another kick downfield, but there's no harm done.

15. 9'

    Gerrard leaps for a loose ball on the edge of the Arsenal area, winning it well but sending his header only behind and out of play for an Arsenal goal-kick.

16. 10'

    Ten minutes gone, and not a whole lot to report.

17. 11'

    Down the left goes Danny Welbeck -- well, he thinks he does, but then play is called back because he has allowed the ball to run over the touchline.

18. 12'

    Lallana turns well on the left of the area and sends a fizzing effort over the top. Good effort, and the best moment of the match so far. Liverpool having the better of things in these early stages.

19. 13'

    Arsenal are being their own worst enemies at the moment -- every time they win the ball back, they lose it again.

20. 14'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Flamini is booked for a strong tackle on Coutinho, and Liverpool win a corner from that free-kick.

21. 15'

    Gerrard, though, bends the ball out of play before it bends back in again. Goal-kick to the Gunners.

22. 15'

    Liverpool completely on top at Anfield. "Come on, Arsenal," chant the visiting fans as they watch their side failing to get anything going at all. But -- and this has been the problem for the Merseysiders this season -- their possession hasn't amounted to all that much.

23. 16'

    Chambers gets in as Coutinho and Markovic try to fashion an opening between them.

24. 17'

    Lucas to Henderson on the right in midfield -- his early ball is a bit aimless, though, and Sterling has no chance of getting on the end of that one.

25. 18'

    Then it's Arsenal's turn to be aimless. They're almost made to pay as Lallana fashions a bit of space on the edge of the box, but his effort goes wide off a defender.

26. 19'

    Arsene Wenger not looking happy on the touchline, and who's to blame him? The corner comes to nothing.

27. 20'

    Scrappy. Liverpool win it back, lose it, win it back, lose it.

28. 21'

    Arsenal can't fashion anything constructive enough around the Liverpool area to make the home side pay, though.

29. 21'

    Liverpool still dominant in terms of possession, but that early effort by Lallana from outside the area remains their best attempt.

30. 22'

    Sanchez threatens to get away from Sakho, stumbles and falls. He's not claiming a foul, though -- but he does win a corner.

31. 23'

    The corner is dreadful, and Liverpool could break from this...

32. 23'

    ...Markovic tries to do that, but is crowded out.

33. 24'

    And the ball is all the way back with Brad Jones. Liverpool try to build from the back, but to no avail.

34. 25'

    A bit of grappling on halfway, Sterling the victim. Free-kick, says the referee.

35. 26'

    Markovic wins the ball on halfway, and it ricochets away to safety. Still not much to report.

36. 27'

    Markovic is playing positively today and he wins another free-kick, running at Arsenal and unsettling them.

37. 28'

    Lallana tries to twist and turn, and Santi Cazorla is the man getting back to make sure he can't create any danger.

38. 29'

    A nice ball is chipped through towards Sterling inside the Arsenal penalty area -- Mertesacker makes a good challenge to ensure that he can't get a shot away.

39. 30'

    I was about to say that we haven't had a shot on target in this game yet, and then suddenly one happens -- Coutinho runs into yet more space obligingly vacated by Arsenal, but his low, drilled effort is easily saved.

40. 31'

    Arsenal are ragged. An attempt to pass their way out of trouble ends with several players receiving passes in places where they would rather not have done before Mertesacker just hoofs the ball away.

41. 32'

    Maybe it's contagious: Liverpool lump an aimless ball forward now. This first half an hour or so is not going to live long in the memory.

42. 33'

    Gerrard and Lallana link neatly in midfield, but then Liverpool give it away. The wind has gone out of their sails somewhat, but they are still the better of these two sides.

43. 34'

    But, let's be honest, this hasn't been a great match. It really, really hasn't.

44. 35'

    But wait a minute -- Markovic, twisting and turning, is suddenly through the Arsenal defence and into the left-hand side of the area. He'll shoot...

45. 35'

    ...and Sczcesny makes the save, guarding his near post well.

46. 35'

    A good moment from Markovic, who has had a very decent half indeed.

47. 36'

    Giroud chases a loose ball towards the Liverpool area -- out comes Brad Jones and thumps it into touch. Just for a moment, it looked as though the Frenchman could be through on goal.

48. 37'

    Coutinho is fouled on halfway. Free-kick to Liverpool. Back it goes. The home side, I think, will feel they really haven't made the best of being so much the better side at the start.

49. 38'

    Sterling turns away from his man and has Markovic unmarked on the left-hand edge of the area. That's where the ball will go..

50. 39'

    ...and then it goes over the bar. That should have been another of this half's rare shots on target.

51. 40'

    Five minutes until half-time. Arsenal, for the umpteenth time, lose the ball. Again, Liverpool can't make much of it.

52. 41'

    Corner to Arsenal. Five minutes until the break. They couldn't sneak a lead, could they?

53. 42'

    No, they can't. That's the short answer to that one. Predictable, wasn't it?

54. 42'

    Arsene Wenger looks horrified as Arsenal fail to complete another simple pass. Flamini barges into Lallana to concede a free-kick midway inside Arsenal territory. Flamini, it's safe to say, has not had a half to remember. But then again this hasn't been a half to remember in general.

55. 44'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL: LIVERPOOL 1-0 ARSENAL</b>

56. 44'

    Arsenal have only themselves to blame. They give the ball away in a ridiculous position, and Coutinho does well, taking it on and then making space and firing a low effort into the far corner. Liverpool deserve heir lead, but Arsene Wenger will be livid at just how cheaply his side gave Liverpool the ball.

57. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL: LIVERPOOL 1-1 ARSENAL</b>

58. 45'

    Well, well. Anfield stunned. Arsenal have a free-kick, Flamini heads on and Debuchy gets above Skrtel's ineffective challenge to head home in front of the Kop. Liverpool were gifted a lead, and have thrown it away.

59. 45'

    <b>HALF-TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-1 ARSENAL</b>

60. 45'

    Surely Arsenal can't play this badly after the break? They have been all over the place -- giving away possession so, so easily. Yet they are level.

61. 45'

    Less than two minutes elapsed between the Liverpool goal and the Arsenal equaliser. The home side have dominated possession, and should have gone into the break in front -- now they have to try and do it all again.

62. 45'

    Here come the players. Arsenal will get the second period under way.

63. 46'

    And off we go. An early Arsenal attack sees Gibbs get into a crossing position and Toure make a good challenge to prevent him from getting the ball in.

64. 47'

    Arsenal trying to get some passing rhythm going -- keeping possession. But, in keeping with the first half, they give it away. Debuchy sends Sterling crashing on the left-hand side of the area.

65. 47'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> That reslts in a booking for the Arsenal man -- no surprises. What can Liverpool do with this set piece?

66. 48'

    It's played in and headed out to Coutinho on the edge of the box. He gets his effort all wrong, though, and it flies high into the Kop.

67. 49'

    Then it's Cazorla's go to profit from some defensive uncertainty, running at the Liverpool back line but lifting his effort from the edge of the area over the crossbar.

68. 50'

    Liverpool try to work a one-two around the Arsenal box, but the final ball goes wrong and Markovic has no chance of getting to that one.

69. 51'

    Toure runs the ball carelessly out of play inside his own half. Arsenal try to build again and Giroud crashes into Skrtel. The Liverpool man looks to be in some difficulties here...

70. 52'

    He is getting treatment, and one or two of his colleagues are looking a little anxious.

71. 53'

    Still Skrtel is down, and still we have a break in play.

72. 54'

    Skrtel is sitting up now, but is still being treated.

73. 55'

    He has a cut to the head, and Brendan Rodgers is looking anxious on the touchline.

74. 56'

    The bandages are on the Liverpool defender now. It looks as though he will be able to carry on after a break in play of a shade over five minutes.

75. 57'

    He is back on his feet, to warm applause.

76. 58'

    As play resumes, Markovic makes a determined run and wins Liverpool a corner in front of the Kop. It flies right across, and Arsenal get away with that one a bit.

77. 59'

    Giroud chases the ball forward down the left as Arsenal break, and wins his side a potentially dangerous free-kick...

78. 59'

    Liverpool clear for an Arsenal corner.

79. 60'

    It's a poor corner and now Liverpool can break as Henderson sweeps the ball out to Coutinho. The ball falls to Lucas on the edge of the area, and he sends it whizzing high into the Kop.

80. 61'

    Off goes Sterling down the left, and he is brought down. Free-kick, whipped wide by Gerrard.

81. 61'

    Sczcesny races out of his goal as Sterling chases again -- the Liverpool man gets past him and crosses for Gerrard, who can't direct a very difficult headed chance on target. Sterling handled in the build-up, but play was waved on.

82. 62'

    To the other end, where Giroud has a little space on the edge of the area. He tries his luck, but the effort flies wide of the top left-hand corner.

83. 63'

    Markovic tries to thread the ball through into the Arsenal area, and Debuchy whacks it away.

84. 64'

    The Kop trying to encourage their players -- and that noise is answered by noise from the Arsenal end. Neither set of fans has had too much to get excited about in this half. But...

85. 65'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL: LIVERPOOL 1-2 ARSENAL</b>

86. 65'

    Nice goal, that -- Gibbs plays Cazorla in on the left, and his low cross is turned home from just outside the six-yard box by Olivier Giroud.

87. 66'

    Liverpool, though, will be wondering how on earth they are in a losing position. Coutinho tries a shot as the home side look to respond, but it deflects harmlessly through to the keeper.

88. 67'

    Arsenal in possession, knocking it around more confidently now.

89. 67'

    But, as soon as I say that, they give it away. Rickie Lambert is warming up for Liverpool as Sterling gets into the Arsenal area but, under pressure, sends it over the top.

90. 68'

    Giroud flicks a long ball on, and Henderson just gets there to clear the danger. Liverpool have been rocked by that goal, and Arsenal are looking more like their normal selves.

91. 69'

    Gerrard gets possession and shoots optimistically. Seconds later, he tries again and his deflected effort is well held.

92. 70'

    Twenty minutes of the 90, plus plenty of stoppage time for that injury to Skrtel, remaining.

93. 71'

    Welbeck and Sakho collide as the Arsenal striker tries a flick-on. Welbeck is down, and that looked at first glance like a clash of heads. Welbeck has come off worse.

94. 72'

    He looks a bit dazed, but gets a check-over and looks as though he will be able to continue. He's off the pitch at the moment, though, so Arsenal are temporarily playing with ten men.

95. 73'

    Henderson gets down the right and crosses, but nothing comes of that. It looks as though Liverpool are preparing to bring Fabio Borini into the fray.

96. 73'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> And on he comes, with Markovic -- who has had a decent day today -- making way for him.

97. 74'

    Coutinho dallies and loses out in midfield. Suddenly, it's gone a bit quiet at Anfield.

98. 75'

    But it picks up then as Henderson squares it and Lucas fires in an excellent effort that flies narrowly past the far post. Great shot, and a whisker away from an equaliser.

99. 76'

    More uncertainty from Arsenal, but Coutinho can't profit, mis-hitting horribly from the edge of the area.

100. 77'

     Arsenal have a corner, given away carelessly by Gerrard. Liverpool get it away, and Arsenal are forced all the way back into their own half.

101. 78'

     We're heading towards the final ten minutes of normal time, but there will be about eight minutes of stoppage time -- possibly more. Rickie Lambert looks primed to come into the picture.

102. 79'

     Liverpool try to build down the left. It's patient, but you can hear some impatience from the Kop. They won't be any happier as Arsenal break...

103. 80'

     ...and the break brings a corner, which again is wasted by Arsenal. Their corners have been poor.

104. 81'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Kolo Toure goes off as Rickie Lambert comes on. Two up front now for Liverpool.

105. 82'

     And an Arsenal change in the offing as well.

106. 82'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Off goes Olivier Giroud, and Francis Coquelin comes on.

107. 83'

     Lallana is lurking on the left, and that's where the ball goes...

108. 84'

     ...he brings it down and Coutinho takes over but can only lash the ball into the side-netting from a tight angle.

109. 85'

     Coutinho fouls Coquelin, and the Liverpool man doesn't like the Gunners player's reaction. Free-kick Arsenal is the decision, though.

110. 86'

     Oxlade-Chamberlain miscontrols. There has been a lot of that, from both sides, today.

111. 86'

     Oxlade-Chamberlain loses he ball again. He might be struggling with a muscle problem. Liverpool come forward, and Borini's header is tipped over by Sczcesny.

112. 87'

     Borini again, from Gerrard's pass, forces a save from a tight angle. Another Liverpool corner...

113. 88'

     ... and another Arsenal header clear.

114. 89'

     Borini is angry as he crunches in on Cazorla and is penalised. There's a show of dissent...

115. 89'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> And a yellow card.

116. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Joel Campbell replaces Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as we go into what looks likely to be plenty of added time.

117. 90'

     And indeed it is -- there will be NINE additional minutes.

118. 90'

     Sterling tries his luck from an angle. Saved. Corner...

119. 90'

     Lambert hangs up a cross as the ball is played back to him, and it's acrobatically cleared. Borini makes another bad challenge -- late and high on Cazorla. I think he's going to get a red card here...

120. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/red_card.jpg" height="15"> A second yellow and a red for Borini. His cameo didn't last long.

121. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Now a yellow for Cazorla, who brings down Coutinho in midfield.

122. 90'

     Cazorla's shirt is ripped where borini's high challenge caught him. Meanwhile, an Arsenal change...

123. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Nacho Monreal on for Alexis Sanchez, who has had a very quiet day by his own high standards.

124. 90'

     Gerrard shoots, Sczcesny savs, and Lallana picks up the pieces to win a corner, which is promptly wasted. The corners from both sides today have been poor.

125. 90'

     And another Liverpool corner. Still about four minutes remaining.

126. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL: LIVERPOOL 2-2 ARSENAL</b>

127. 90'

     It's a great header from Skrtel, who bullets it into the corner.

128. 90'

     Can either side find a winner? It has to be said that Liverpool, on the balance of play, would not have deserved to lose this one.

129. 90'

     Now Arsenal come forward. Cazorla shoots and it's beaten away by Jones. Liverpool scramble the rebound cross away. Last-gasp Arsenal corner...

130. 90'

     <B>FULL-TIME: LIVERPOOL 2-2 ARSENAL</B>

131. 90'

     Not the highest quality encounter, then, but not short of excitement and incident. A deserved point for Liverpool, who left it late to salvage one, and it moves them into tenth place in the Premier League.

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