After drawing 2-2 with Crystal Palace, Liverpool are on the verge of capturing the Premier League title.
An Arsenal defeat on Wednesday would have earned Liverpool its 20th English title, which Arne Slot’s side were anticipating.
After Jean-Philippe Mateta’s late equaliser for Palace at the Emirates Stadium, Liverpool look certain to win the trophy for the first time since 2020 even though they haven’t received their wish yet.
With only four games left, Liverpool are 12 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, who have a goal difference of + 34, down from the leaders’ + 44, which is + 34.
If the Reds lose to Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday, they will be certain of capturing the 20 titles that bitter rivals Manchester United have won.
After drawing third and fourth against Arsenal, it is only a matter of time before Slot’s men’s men’s pursuit of the title, which Slot’s men have still got on the ice.
Early in the match, Jakub Kiwior led the Gunners, but Eberechi Eze equalized for Palace.
With just seven minutes left, Mateta scored a sublime leveller for Arsenal before Leandro Trossard restored the team’s advantage before half-time.
When Liverpool’s title race was halted by a 4-0 win over Ipswich on Sunday, Arsenal had delayed the celebrations by defeating the Gunners.
Liverpool’s real focus was already on Tuesday’s Champions League game with Paris Saint-Germain, but Mikel Arteta’s side once more extended that time by keeping the wait a few days.
Arsenal will host the French side in the first leg of their Champions League last four since 2009.
Arteta had resisted pressing his stars against Palace to ensure their safety during the PSG showdown.
After Mikel Merino and Ben White were ruled out for the starting lineup last weekend, Leif Davis fouled Bukayo Saka, the England winger was left limping.
Without Mateta and Ismaila Sarr, who were crucial for Palace in their FA Cup semifinal encounter with Aston Villa on Saturday, Oliver Glasner made a start.
After just three minutes, Arsenal had a chance to capitalize on Palace’s distraction at Wembley.
For the 16th time in the Premier League this season, Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover scored from a well-worked dead ball routine.
When Dean Henderson was unable to clear his header from 12 yards, Martin Odegaard whipped a free-kick into the Palace area.
David Raya saved Daniel Munoz’s volley from a sharp angle to give the Poland defender his first league goal since February 2024, which almost immediately equalized Palace.
Arsenal were out of the loop when Palace equalized in the 27th minute due to their switch in attack from set-pieces.
The England midfielder’s agile volley, which Adam Wharton had picked out from the edge of the area, was saved by Raya, who was unable to see the unmarked Eze.
In the 42nd minute, Trossard restored the lead with a deflected finish into the bottom corner from 12 yards after he deflected a pass from Jurrien Timber. Trossard deftly evaded two Palace defenders before scoring from 12 yards.
The final half-hour saw the return of Arteta’s penalty kick to Saka, but Palace were on the offensive as Raya tipped the ball over.
Palace capitalized on Henderson’s brilliant save to force Saka’s volley past for an equalizer in the 83rd minute.
Source: Aljazeera
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