The match that had been most anticipated this Premier League season concluded in a draw, with Arsenal’s point against Liverpool at Anfield guaranteeing them the top place on Christmas Day 2023.
After three minutes and 27 seconds, Arsenal scored their first-ever Premier League goal at Anfield, charging ahead of the opposition.
That goal tied Everton for the league lead for Arsenal’s 11th goal from a set-piece this season in the Premier League (excluding penalties). Since joining the London team in September 2020, Gabriel has scored 11 goals in the tournament; no other defender has accomplished as much in that period. However, it would be Arsenal’s only opportunity to score throughout the game.
Through a familiar source, Mohamed Salah, Liverpool ultimately found a way back into the game and leveled the score in the 28th minute.
With 121 Premier League goals (88 goals, 33 assists) in 120 games at Anfield, Salah has surpassed Steven Gerrard’s record of 120 goals as the Reds’ all-time leading scorer. Alexander-Arnold deserves praise for his NFL-quarterback-style pass to Salah, as the England international recorded his 57th Premier League assist, tying Andy Robertson for the most assists by a defender in the competition’s 31-year history.
Most honest neutrals would have considered the hour that followed to be disappointing after both teams essentially balanced each other out in a fantastic first thirty minutes. After setting up Salah for a risky counterattack, Alexander-Arnold had a great opportunity to put Liverpool ahead in the 72nd minute, but his rasping shot struck the bar and Arsenal were spared. The game wore on, and that would be both teams’ final meaningful opportunity to win.
For the second year in a row, Arsenal’s lead in the Premier League at Christmas was maintained with this one point. When the Gunners have led the league on Christmas Day, history hasn’t been kind to them; in each of the previous five seasons, they have finished first in the league but failed to go on and win it. They haven’t won the league after leading on December 25th since 1947–48.
Manchester City would have thought that this weekend was the most favorable for their championship opponents even if they weren’t even playing this matchday, as Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Arsenal only managed to gain one point each while they were in Saudi Arabia winning the FIFA Club World Cup. They would catch up to three of the foursome if they win their in-hand match against Brentford. It seems that the Premier League championship contest of 2023–2024 will be among the most thrilling in a very long time.
Arsenal vs. Liverpool Post-Match Information
• Following this tie, Arsenal will celebrate Christmas Day atop the English top division standings for only the second time, having done so in 1932 and 1933.
•This season, Liverpool has more points than any other team in the Premier League after coming back from losing positions—19. Despite trailing in 10 league games in 2023–24, they have only lost one of those games (W5 D4 L1 while behind).
•This is the first time Liverpool has lost consecutive Premier League games at Anfield since they drew with Man City and Brighton in October 2021.
•Arsenal has drawn both of its previous two Premier League trips to Anfield, having lost seven, drawn two, and won none of their nine games between 2013–14 and 2021–22.
•Gabriel Magalhães scored Arsenal their first-ever Premier League goal at Anfield against Liverpool in the fourth minute.
• Liverpool’s Mo Salah scored his 10th Premier League goal against Arsenal, his joint-highest against a single opponent (Man Utd & West Ham also 10). The Gunners have opened the scoring in three straight Premier League meetings with the Reds. The Egyptian has now participated in 121 Premier League goals at Anfield (88 goals, 33 assists), breaking Steven Gerrard’s record of 120 goals, 51 assists, by a player at the venue.
• Along with colleague Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold earned his 57th Premier League assist, which ties him for the most by any defender in the competition’s history.
• Since his first Premier League season (2020–21), Gabriel Magalhães of Arsenal has scored more goals in the competition than any other defender (11). His seven against Arsenal are his most against a single opponent, and no player in Premier League history has assisted more goals against the Gunners (Steven Gerrard also 7).
Arsenal vs. Liverpool Stats Center
You can see all of the Liverpool vs. Arsenal statistics from Saturday’s late Premier League kickoff at Anfield using our Opta match center.
Below is the match center with information on teams, players, passing networks, predicted goals, an Opta chalkboard, and more. Everything you need to do your own in-depth game analysis is provided.
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