LFC 2-2 Arsenal: Skrtel fires late equaliser in his own injury time

Premier League
Sunday 21 December 2014 - 4:00 pm
Anfield
Liverpool2
2Arsenal
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⚽️ Coutinho45'
⚽️ Skrtel96'
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Martin Skrtel headed a late late LFC equaliser 7 minutes into his own injury time.

The reds defender required several staples after receiving a boot to his head in a game that saw Liverpool open the scoring.  An immediate equaliser from Arsenal ensured both teams headed into the half time break level.  Arsenal went ahead, and Fabio Borini received two quick yellow cards before the reds left Anfield with a point.

Brendan Rodgers picked Raheem Sterling up front for this game, with Lallana and Coutinho providing some attacking support.  Three centre-backs were utilised again - Toure, Sakho and Skrtel, with Henderson and Markovic operating as wing-backs.  Brad Jones continued with his place in the side.

Liverpool, whilst light years away from last years 5-1 demolition, controlled large parts of the play without providing significant threat to Szczesny.  Sterling, so often a spark of creativity, was isolated up front - he needed to be there to pass the ball to himself on so many occasions.

Shortly before half time Coutinho found the space to fire in a low footed shot to give the reds a lead.

But within seconds the reds defence had imploded, first conceding a free kick and then allowing Sanchez' ball to cause mayhem in the box - Debuchy with the final touch.

Giroud put the Gunners ahead in the 64th minute and as time ticked down Borini and Lambert were sent on.  Borini was given his first yellow card for throwing the ball away after a decision, wrongly, went against him for a throw in.  Then moments later a high kick tore Cazorla's shirt and it was Arrivederci Fabio - the red was shown and he sprinted off the pitch, down the tunnel, and possibly all the way back to Italy to prepare his Christmas dinner.

The last time he will be seen in a Liverpool shirt? Likely.

But it was the bandaged Skrtel who rose powerfully to connect with Adam Lallana's well flighted corner and bang the ball into the net.  Liverpool deserved a point but this result does little to gloss over the abysmal form this season - and it's comparison with the last visit from Arsenal to Anfield shows just how far backwards Liverpool have slipped.

A big Christmas period ahead for Liverpool.  9 points through till New Years Day must surely be the minimum requirement.

The reds face Burnley away on Boxing Day.

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