Liverpool and Arsenal shared the spoils in this weekends big Premier League clash at Anfield in what was a thrilling encounter between two of the league's unbeaten teams.Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso both returned to the Liverpool starting line-up after injuries and for Arsenal Tomas Rosicky got his place ahead of Theo Walcott despite the England internationals outstanding performances in midweek.
The game started brightly with quick free-flowing football and several half chances at either end, and it was the home side who took the lead after only seven minutes. Xabi Alonso was fouled on the edge of the area after nice build up play by the Merseysiders and from the resulting free, Riise laid it off to Steven Gerrard who buried it to the right of Almunia.
Arsenal's best chance of the half came through Adebayor when the Togo international got through one on one with Pepe Reina, but the Spaniard stood tall and managed to get his body behind the oncoming shot.
A half time substitution from Rafa Benitez saw Peter Crouch replace the clearly unfit Fernando Torres and the 6' 7" striker had a point to prove to his gaffer. Arsenal started the second period much better, with much more possession but failing to break the stubborn Liverpool defence. That was until the 80th minute when Hleb's run on the left wing with a delayed pass from the Belarussian created space for Fabregas to squeeze home the equaliser.
The two best chances of the second half besides the goal both fell to the Londoners and they were both carbon copys of one another. The first came after Emmanuel Eboue's shot rebounded off the post into Cesc Fabregas' path, but the on-form midfielder blazed it high wide and certainly not handsome. The second was for Niclas Bendtner after Fabregas almost broke the post with his stunning 25 yard effort, the ball came to the young Dane who fired over an open goal from the edge of the box.
That said Liverpool did look dangerous on the counter attack and it took a last gasp challenge from William Gallas to stop Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard from getting his second of the game.1-1 it finished and both sides will probably be pleased with the result, a fair reflection on the game and keeping both sides unbeaten record.
There were several candidates for man of the match with outstanding performances from Xabi Alonso, Fabregas and Crouch when he came on. However one player stood out in my mind who I felt went unrecognised, Javier Mascherano for Liverpool. The Argentinian made a few match saving tackles and used the ball well when received.
Who was your man of the match? Leave us a comment with your choice.
