Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal: Gakpo and Diaz strike early before Gunners fight back in fiery Anfield draw

Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz scored twice in the space of 87 seconds as Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead, but second-half goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino saw Arsenal claw their way back to earn a point in a dramatic clash at Anfield.

The newly crowned champions were greeted with a guard of honour by Arsenal, but Arne Slot’s side wasted no time asserting their dominance. Gakpo opened the scoring in the 20th minute, heading in Andy Robertson’s quick cross after a throw-in caught Arsenal napping. Moments later, Dominik Szoboszlai teed up Diaz to tap home a second.

Arsenal looked shell-shocked but responded after the break. Martinelli gave the visitors hope with a header from Leandro Trossard’s delivery just two minutes into the second half. The equaliser came in the 70th minute when Alisson tipped Martin Odegaard’s shot onto the bar, only for Merino to follow in and level.

Merino, however, turned from hero to villain, seeing red for a reckless challenge on Szoboszlai after losing the ball deep in his own half.

Trent Alexander-Arnold made his first appearance since confirming his end-of-season departure, greeted by a chorus of boos from sections of the Anfield crowd. He nearly silenced them with a curling free-kick that whistled just past the post following Merino’s dismissal.

Late drama followed with Odegaard coming close and Robertson having a potential winner ruled out for a Konate foul in the buildup.

Alexander-Arnold, ever the professional, applauded the crowd at full-time, embraced by teammates despite the mixed reception.