Liverpool 3 - Arsenal 3: Allen rescues point for Klopp after Giroud's double

JOE ALLEN's 89th minute strike rescued a point for Liverpool against Arsenal in a thrilling encounter at Anfield.

 

Olivier Giroud scored Arsenal's third goal

 

n a frantic first half Roberto Firmino gave Liverpool the lead before Aaron Ramsey drew the Gunners level. 

Firmino then scored his second of the night but his strike was cancelled out by Giroud's first of the evening.

And the Frenchman seemed to have grabbed the winner in the second half but Joe Allen's 89th minute strike ensured the points wer shared.

Liverpool flew out of the blocks and were immediately rewarded for their good start.

 

Emre Can's shot from distance was parried by Petr Cech into the path of Firmino, who slammed the ball home for his first of the night.

The Premier League leaders looked sluggish but the goal brought them into life and they replied instantly. 

In their first serious attack Joel Campbell played a sublime threaded pass to Ramsey inside the Liverpool area and the Welsh international fired home to beat Simon Mignolet and level proceedings.

But they were only level for five minutes as Firmino put the Reds back ahead with a curling 25-yard effort which flew past Cech. 

And the frantic start continued as with just 25 minutes gone it was 2-2. 

 

Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring his second goal against Arsenal

 

Liverpool made a hash of defending a corner at the near post and Giroud, who had left the field after Arsenal's first goal, pounced from close range, but Mignolet could have done much better.

The Gunners almost went in to the break ahead but Giroud somehow managed to miss an open goal following Hector Bellerin's cross.

After the break the game continued at a hectic pace, with Arsene Wenger's side seeing a number of good chances come and go.

However after 54 minutes Giroud gave the visitors he lead for the first time. Bellerin's ran into the Liverpool area and the ball fell to the French striker, who produced a fantastic finish on the turn inside the box.

Jurgen Klopp brought on Christian Benteke as Liverpool pushed for an equaliser towards the end of the half but tit looked like the Gunners would secure all three points.

But in the 89th minute Joe Allen grabbed the equaliser for Liverpool in an astonishing finish.

The result means Arsenal stay top of the tabel on goal difference.