It felt like it was going to be an awful afternoon for Liverpool. Lacking two of their most influential figures in Rafael Benítez and Javier Mascherano due to illness, the effects of an operation to remove kidney stones and the flu taking their toll respectively, the visitors were then made to take to the pitch in a rotten hybrid of a strip; the grey of their away shirt clashing markedly with the red shorts and socks of their home colours. But ultimately, this was a decent day for the Merseyside club, a 1-1 draw achieved in difficult circumstances and a result that keeps them top of the Premier League for 24 hours at least.
What will have particularly pleased Benítez as he watched from afar was how his team managed to stick to the script in his absence. There were some wobbles at the back, none more glaring then Jamie Carragher's failure to read the flight of the ball that allowed Robin van Persie to give Arsenal the lead on 24 minutes, but overall this was typical Liverpool; organised, dogged, resilient. The opening goal had the visitors rocking and at that stage it appeared there was only going to be one winner, but the men in grey and red eventually roused themselves and, as is so typical of them under Benítez, came back.
A long pass from Daniel Agger released Robbie Keane two minutes from half-time and having held off Johan Djourou, he expertly rifled a shot past Manuel Almunia. Keane, having secured his fifth goal for the Reds, sprinted off in celebration, goading the supporters who had been jeering the one-time Tottenham Hotspur player. Internally, though, the Irishman may well have been directing his delight to the man who was not here. It is hard to imagine Benítez leaving him out of the starting line-up for some time now, certainly not for the Boxing Day visit of Bolton Wanderers anyway.
And how Sammy Lee would like to be in charge for that fixture. Whatever Liverpool's assistant manager may say publicly he surely would love the chance to get one over the club that sacked him 14 months ago. This was the first time he has led a side since leaving the Reebok Stadium and credit should be given to the former Anfield midfielder for how he kept the side organised and dynamic in the short-notice absence of their manager. Lee first appeared on the touchline five minutes into the contest to organise Liverpool's defence ahead of an Arsenal free-kick before returning there at regular intervals to keep the league leaders focused on the task ahead.
Less visible was Arsène Wenger whose most notable gesticulation was directed to the fourth official Steve Tanner 20 minutes before the final whistle in protest to Howard Webb's decision to send off Emmanuel Adebayor for two bookable offences. The first appeared the right decision following the striker clumsy tackle on Emiliano Insua, The second, however, was arguably harsh. At first glance, it looked as if Adebayor had led with his studs-up on Alvaro Arbeloa but on second viewing, contact seemed slight at best. The forward did also raise an arm but not surprisingly, the home supporters reacted with fury. Down below, Wenger was boiling.
The Frenchman's vexation may, in truth, have partly been fuelled by his own team's failings. Having taken the lead through Van Persie's 10th goal of the season, Arsenal should have pressed on and initially at least, appeared in the mood to do so. But the initiative was soon lost, Keane scored and from there, a home victory appeared increasingly unlikely. Matters were not helped when Cesc Fábregas departed the pitch in tears at half-time with a suspected torn knee ligaments that are expected to keep the Spaniard out of action until well into the new year.
Adebayor's sending off not only further negated the home team's threat but also led to an increasingly tetchy contest as the clearly frustrated hosts attempted to barge thorough opponents who were happy to achieve a point. The closest Liverpool came again to snatching a winner was when Nabil El Zhar, who came on for Robbie Keane after 82 minutes — he is still being substituted even when Benítez is not at the game — headed just wide of the post a minute before added time.
No further efforts followed from either side but in the end a draw was probably a fair result. Arsenal deserve credit for the way they remained in the contest after Adebayor's sending-off while Liverpool can take much heart from their response having gone behind in the absence of their manager.
The problem, though, is that this result does little for either side's title hopes. Liverpool will drop to second place should Chelsea win away to Everton tomorrow night while Arsenal remain in fifth and are a point behind fourth-placed Manchester United having played two matches more. They travel to Aston Villa on Boxing Day fully aware that defeat will all but end their hopes.
Liverpool can enjoy Christmas in far more cheery mood even if they are shoved out of top spot. This was a match which began in difficulty and after 24 minutes looked liked it was going to end in defeat. That the visitors drew and might have secured what would have been their third victory over one of the big four sides only adds to the sense that this could yet be the season they win a 19th league title. It is hard to know who will be most content — Benítez, Lee or Keane, all of whom made their presence felt in some way or another in north London today.
