Connect with us
 

Arsenal

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk offers honest opinion on ‘difficult’ 2-2 draw v Arsenal

Liverpool extended their unbeaten streak on the road to seven games across all competitions this season with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

Boasting the best defence in the Premier League, Liverpool came into the game having conceded just three goals in eight games, but they fell behind inside the opening ten minutes.

Bukayo Saka latched on to a searching pass from Ben White before skipping past Andrew Robertson and rifling a ferocious effort past a stranded Caoimhin Kelleher to give Arsenal the lead.

Their lead didn’t last long as Liverpool responded nine minutes later, with Virgil van Dijk heading home a flicked pass from Luiz Diaz to level matters.

Summer signing Mikel Merino restored Arsenal’s lead with his first goal for the club, connecting to Declan Rice’s delicious set-piece delivery with a thumping header.

That goal saw Arsenal become the first side to breach Liverpool’s stingy backline twice this season, but it still wasn’t enough for the Gunners to claim maximum points on home turf as Mohamed Salah struck late to restore parity.

Both sides eventually settled for a share of the spoils, forcing Liverpool to relinquish their grip at the Premier League summit and they now sit second, trailing Manchester City by a point.

Despite losing their spot at the top of the table, Van Dijk lauded his teammates for avoiding defeat against a dogged Arsenal side as they look to keep pace with City in the title race.

“It sounds very cliche, but it’s better than losing,” Van Dijk told Match of the Day (via BBC Live). “There were opportunities for us to try and win the game.

“The first half was difficult. We came out well in the second half and pushed for the equaliser. We move on.”

Liverpool are back in action on Wednesday evening when they take on Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The League Cup was part of Jurgen Klopp’s parting gift to the club faithful, and Arne Slot will be keen to help the Reds retain their crown this season.

More in Arsenal