Robbie Keane scored a stunning volley as Liverpool drew 1-1 with Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Liverpool though will be more disappointed with the result following Emanuel Adebayor’s second-half dismissal and having dominated possession and territory for long periods of the game.
Arsenal took the lead through Robin van Persie’s strike but Keane equalised with a well taken half-volley from a long ball which dropped for the out-of-form striker and he strook it perfectly past Almunia.
BBC Sport Report
Robbie Keane struck a stunning equaliser as Liverpool remained top of the Premier League and maintained an eight-point advantage over Arsenal.
Robin van Persie put Arsenal ahead after collecting a long pass from Samir Nasri that he brilliantly controlled before smashing home.
Keane’s equaliser was equally spectacular, drilling home a long punt upfield on the half-volley.
Emmanuel Adebayor saw red in the second half after picking up a second yellow.
Liverpool had been on top at the time of Adebayor’s 62nd-minute dismissal but the home team competed manfully after losing their Togo striker and were good value for their point.
The visitors could now lose top spot in the league if Chelsea defeat Everton on Monday, while Arsenal remain fifth in the table.
Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas said in the week before the game that defeat for his team would have effectively spelled the end of their title challenge.
Having drawn the fixture the Gunners remain in the hunt but an injury to Fabregas on the stroke of half-time does little to improve their prospects.
Rafael Benitez, whose team have already beaten Chelsea and Manchester United this season, missed the game as he recovers from surgery to remove kidney stones but the Liverpool boss did pick the team.
Keane, an unused substitute against Hull last weekend, returned as one of four changes from the team that drew with Hull last weekend.
Steven Gerrard played just behind the Irishman and the two combined after 10 minutes for the opening opportunity of the game. Keane looked to be yards offside as he collected a long ball but Gael Clichy had played him on and the striker laid the ball off to Gerrard, whose shot from 20 yards was saved by Manuel Almunia.
Arsenal took time to settle, struggling to play their fluent passing game. However, Adebayor forced a save from Pepe Reina with a header after he met Bacary Sagna’s cross from the right.
And Van Persie put Arsenal ahead with a goal of individual brilliance.
Nasri, returning after injury, picked out the Dutch forward with a raking pass but Van Persie was closely marked by Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger as he brought the ball down on his chest.
Van Persie created a yard of space with his second touch and smashed the ball into the corner with his third.
Clear-cut chances remained at a premium but it was another moment of brilliance that saw Keane equalise with his third Premier League goal of the season.
Arsenal had been troubled previously by long balls upfield and failed to deal with a long punt over the top from Agger that Keane smashed home spectacularly on the half-volley.
Liverpool might have led at the break but Gerrard could not quite find the target after sliding in the meet a low cross from Kuyt, who then went close himself with a low shot across goal that Almunia did well to save.
And the half ended on a sour note for Arsenal when skipper Fabregas sustained a knee injury challenging Xabi Alonso for the ball and was replaced by Vassiriki Diaby.
Leiva Lucas tested stand-in captain Almunia with a strike shortly after the resumption and the home team’s travails worsened when Adebayor was dismissed.
The striker had his foot raised as he competed with Alvaro Arbeloa and caught the defender with his elbow as he spun, prompting referee Howard Webb to issue a second yellow card.
But Arsenal, who had struggled since the resumption, rallied after losing Adebayor and enjoyed a spell of pressure in and around the Liverpool box.
However, it was Liverpool who came close to a late winner, with a long-range strike from Agger narrowly missing the target and Nabil El Zhar heading wide.
Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Djourou, Gallas, Clichy, Denilson, Fabregas (Diaby 46), Song Billong, Nasri (Eboue 90), Adebayor, Van Persie.
Subs Not Used: Fabianski, Vela, Ramsey, Silvestre, Wilshere.
Sent Off: Adebayor (62).
Booked: Adebayor, Van Persie, Sagna.
Goals: Van Persie 24.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Leiva Lucas (Ngog 88), Alonso, Riera (Babel 71), Gerrard, Keane (El Zhar 81).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Benayoun, Plessis.
Booked: Keane, Carragher, Lucas.
Goals: Keane 42.
Att: 60,094
Ref: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)
