Liverpool vs Arsenal LIVE: Boos for Alexander-Arnold as Gunners fight back in four-goal draw
Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal: The Gunners trailed at half time but responded well to claim a point
Arsenal battled from two goals down to salvage a point at Premier League champions Liverpool as Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a mixed reception at Anfield and the hosts had a late winner disallowed.
Liverpool looked rampant in the first half and struck twice in 80 seconds through Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz to leave Arsenal trailing at half time and heading for another disappointing result after Wednesday’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals.
But Arsenal showed commendable spirit to claw themselves level in the second half, as Gabriel Martinelli headed in Leandro Trossard’s cross and Mikel Merino nodded in after Martin Odegaard hit the crossbar.
There were some boos as Alexander-Arnold, playing his first game at Anfield since announcing his departure at the end of the season, replaced Conor Bradley, while Arsenal had to play the final 10 minutes with 10 men after Merino was shown a second yellow card for a late challenge.
Liverpool thought they had won it when Andy Robertson scrambled in from a corner deep in stoppage time, but a foul was given for a Ibrahima Konate push on Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Arsenal held on to claim a morale-boosting point, even if their place in next season’s Champions League is still not secure with a visit from third-placed Newcastle, who are two points behind them, to come next week.
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Andy Robertson opens up on ‘emotional’ Trent Alexander-Arnold exit and Anfield boos
Andy Robertson admitted it was “not nice” to see Trent Alexander-Arnold booed by some Liverpool fans as he opened up on the “emotional” departure of his close friend and team-mate
Robertson and Alexander-Arnold formed Liverpool’s flying full-back pair as the Reds won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup under Jurgen Klopp, before adding a second title this season under Arne Slot.
Alexander-Arnold has announced his decision to leave his boyhood club at the end of his contract and the 26-year-old England international was booed by some Liverpool supporters in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday.
Scotland captain Robertson offered his support to Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to join Real Madrid, and thanked him for making him a better player as he also made clear he would not criticise supporters or tell them how to feel.
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Andy Robertson opens up on ‘emotional’ Trent Alexander-Arnold exit and Anfield boos
Arteta ‘really upset’ before Arsenal hit back to draw at Liverpool
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed his anger after his side were forced to battle back from 2-0 down to claim a draw at Liverpool on Sunday.
They battled back to draw 2-2 with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino – who was later sent off – but that could not mask a poor opening in which the Gunners could have been punished further.
With Arsenal having appeared to struggle following their Champions League semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, Arteta described the first-half performance as “unacceptable”.
Asked to elaborate how, he said: “A lot of parts – especially the defending standards and the errors after we gave the ball away, which is totally prohibited against this team. We were very far off it.
“I was really upset. Yes we had a reaction, but I hate reactions – I like action, especially if we want to be there winning trophies.”
He added: “What I saw in the first 25 minutes or 30 minutes, I was killing myself. Sorry with the words that I use.”
Slot does not regret playing Alexander-Arnold despite Reds fans’ boos
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has no concerns about continuing to pick Trent Alexander-Arnold despite the defender being booed by his own fans in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
The right-back was targeted by a significant section of the Anfield crowd when he came on as a substitute after confirming on Monday he will not be extending his current deal with the newly-crowned Premier League champions when it expires this summer.
Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to join Real Madrid, was subjected to loud jeers as he was introduced as a 67th-minute substitute and that continued with most of his touches.
“The thing I consider is I want to win a game of football and if we think we can win with Trent, I owe it to his team-mates and to the fans, because they (Liverpool) hired me to win as many games of football as possible,” said Slot.
Arne Slot does not regret playing Trent Alexander-Arnold despite Reds fans’ boos
Angry Mikel Arteta quietens Liverpool taunts and saves Arsenal from greater humiliation
After the mockery came the comeback. After the outlandish praise came the cutting criticism. After the boos for one of Liverpool’s finest players in recent years came the Arsenal equaliser.
An afternoon that threatened to be a hubristic embarrassment for Mikel Arteta instead produced a response which nudged Arsenal towards a place in next season’s Champions League. And yet he has rarely been more scathing, more obviously annoyed. A manager who left Paris with bullish bravado departed Liverpool lacerating his side.
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Angry Mikel Arteta quietens Liverpool taunts and saves Arsenal from humiliation
Mikel Arteta disappointed with Arsenal standards in first half
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s performance in the first half at Anfield was “unacceptable” despite their response to get a 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
“What we did in the first half is nowhere near the level so to do it after that is not acceptable. We reacted, great but it is unacceptable,” he tells Sky Sports.
"You don't have to be fighting for trophies and then you might win or lose it. That's the level you need.
"No-one can promise you win. You're going to have six, seven teams who pray to be in the Champions League next year and then you see.
"The action that we had after 20, 25 minutes. When the team plays like this, that's on me.
"It's not about the players. It's about we. No-one accepts those standards. It has to hurt a lot. Six times we played with 10 men this season. Look at what we can do when we are there."
Arne Slot responds to Alexander-Arnold boos
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said on Friday that he would not tell supporters how to feel, while his team-mate and close friend Andy Robertson said it was “not nice” to see Alexander-Arnold booed.
"In general and life, the good thing about living in Europe, everyone can have their opinion. That's the same here in Liverpool,” Slot said afterwards. There was more applause for Alexander-Arnold at full time when he went to the Kop.
"There were people who were not so happy, there were people who were happy for him. They clapped for him. A few of them booed.
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Towards the end, a few of them got more and more positive. But for me, it's simple. I owe it to the team, to the fans, to play a team that can win a game of football.
"Trent showed it because he had two or three incredible balls. We were so close to winning it, partly because of him.
"For me, it's not that difficult. And for the fans, they can have the reaction they want. I will always back my players, the ones I lead and wear the red shirt."
A good day for Newcastle
Newcastle were the big winners today, with Eddie Howe’s side the only team in the top five to pick up three points this weekend.
Their 2-0 win over Chelsea moved Newcastle to third, two points behind second-placed Arsenal. It sets up next weekend’s clash at the Emirates rather well.
Arsenal have lost all three games they have played against Newcastle this season.
Strange day for Alexander-Arnold
It appeared as if Alexander-Arnold received plenty of applause, too, at full-time as he went to the Kop and showed his appreciation.
Jamie Carragher on boos for Trent Alexander-Arnold: 'Not for me'
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher reacts to the boos that greeted Trent Alexander-Arnold at Anfield.
"That's the story of the game. That's what we will be talking about after the game and what will be on the the back pages of every newspaper.
"I'm surprised how many [booed]. When you’re in a crowd of 60,000, there’s no doubt there are a lot of unhappy people in Liverpool with the situation. I’ve said that’s understandable.
“For me, I don't believe any player putting on that red shirt who goes out to play for the club and win three points and to win trophies should be booed.
“I understand there’s a lot of ill-feeling. Some people outside of Liverpool don’t get that - I do. But booing one of your own players while they're playing is not for me.”
FULL TIME! Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
A strange old game. A second 2-2 draw between these teams this season, which may show the difference between them has been Liverpool's consistency against the rest. A fine comeback from Arsenal. An awkward afternoon for Trent Alexander-Arnold and Conor Bradley, for different reasons. And Arsenal nudge closer to a a return to the Champions League - though they will be without the banned Mikel Merino against Newcastle next week.
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