Martin Skrtel left his blood on the Anfield turf, but inflicted a more serious wound on Arsenal’s status as perennial Champions League qualifiers to secure a point for Liverpool.
It was in the seventh of nine injury time minutes - added due to the treatment the Liverpool defender received when his head inadvertently blocked the path of Olivier Giroud – when Skrtel rose to meet Adam Lallana’s corner.
He denied Arsene Wenger what would have been a fortunate win and enabled Brendan Rodgers to add credibility to his predicted restoration of last season’s ideals.
A year ago Liverpool earned a standing ovation from The Kop upon dismissing Arsenal with the most brutal attacking display Anfield had witnessed in 25 years.
It is a sign of how rapid circumstances have changed the home fans were equally uproarious upon seeing their side draw 2-2, but in context the enthusiasm was justified.
Liverpool have played much worse than this and won this season. In fact, they have not played this well at home since last May. Little wonder Rodgers ended the afternoon promising his side will still claim the final Champions League place. No side has ever finished above sixth with Liverpool’s points tally (22) after 17 games, so it’s quite a vow.
Wenger, in contrast, cut a glum figure. On his last visit to Anfield, Wenger compared a heavy defeat to the ‘scene of an accident’. Upon leaving Merseyside this side he bemoaned his side playing with the handbrake on. If his team has not yet gone into reverse gear, there are certainly plentiful signs they are stalling.
For all the pre-match analysis of Liverpool being undermined by their lack of resilience in defence, a cut-and-paste of similar articles could be applied to Arsenal.
They led courtesy of wretched Liverpool defending (is there any other kind?) and also had the benefit of an extra body as full-time approached. Liverpool substitute Fabio Borini was dismissed for two yellow cards, making the late rally even more improbable.
But for admirers of defensive fortitude, Anfield was a place to avoid. This was an occasion for champions of tippy-tappy midfield play, at times beautiful to watch, but in tandem demonstrating why both sides are so far off the title pace.
At their best, both Liverpool and Arsenal embroider the turf with the one touch football of Philippe Coutinho, Santi Cazorla, Adam Lallana and Alexis Sanchez. At their worst, they lack the necessary grit and resolve to withstand pressure. Arsenal fans will have seen the equaliser coming as their defence retreated and Skrtel rose unchallenged. It is a scene that has played out most of the season in this stadium, but usually at the host's expense.
It should have ended in comfort for Wenger’s men courtesy of goals from Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud even though Liverpool did all running, the quartet of Coutinho, Lallana and the improving Lazar Markovic monopolising possession in a manner which Wenger must have admired, if not entirely appreciated. Arsenal shared only 35 per cent of the ball, a record low since Opta recorded their first stat.
What Rodgers side was lacking was a cutting edge, although their Brazilian midfielder duly provided it on the stroke of half-time, easing past Debuchy on the right hand side before finding the left hand corner via the post.
Rodgers’ formation tweak in a bid to revive his side’s possession game was enhancing the entertainment and belief, but the defensive flaws will take longer to eradicate.
No sooner were Liverpool ahead, Gerrard conceded a free-kick to Alexis Sanchez on the edge of his own box and the usual panic ensued. Skrtel was outmuscled by Debuchy and goalkeeper Brad Jones offered further evidence that he considers diving and leaping an occupational hazard.
Debuchy put Arsenal level with a well-placed but not especially potent header, and Liverpool were left wondering how – having worked so hard to earn the lead – they had squandered it within 60 seconds.
Arsenal needed just another shot on target to claim the lead on 64 minutes. Giroud and Sanchez combined, the Chilean returning the pass for the French striker to slam in from close range. It was straight through Jones, whose inadequacies – and those of the defenders around him - were all too obvious again.
Liverpool’s vast improvement in their passing and movement deserved more and in a season where every mild tonic has been consumed as an Anfield health restorer, Skrtel’s equaliser felt more meaningful.
He may never be short of words but it feels like Rodgers has rediscovered his true voice in recent days, as if knew he was not being true to himself embracing the ‘winning ugly’ mantra. This was Rodgers' Liverpool, and better for it.
He still needs a competent keeper, reliable centre-half and fit striker, but the difference between this Liverpool side and the one that made such a tame exit from the Champions League will reassure him. Wenger clearly has similar defensive issues to resolve.
Ultimately, this was a game which lived up to its billing – great to watch because of the deficiencies as much of the strengths of the main protagonists. Those flaws will cost at least one – possibly both - a Champions League place next season.
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