Arsenal maintained their place at the top of the Premier League after a thrilling draw with Liverpool at Anfield.
Victory for either side would have put them top of the table at Christmas but they had to settle for a share of the points in an entertaining encounter.
However, Liverpool regrouped and were level after 29 minutes when Mohamed Salah thrashed a finish high past Gunners keeper David Raya at his near post after collecting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s raking pass.
In between, Liverpool looked to be denied a clear penalty when Odegaard handled the ball.
After that Jurgen Klopp’s side had the better opportunities, although Arsenal were always a threat.
Substitute Harvey Elliott grazed the outside of the post while Alexander-Arnold wasted the best chance of the half when he blasted against the bar after Liverpool swamped Arsenal on the counter-attack.
Proper ‘Anfield Experience’
Jurgen Klopp ordered Liverpool’s fans to bring the noise and give Arsenal a “proper Anfield experience” at the place where their nerve has so often failed them in past.
Arsenal have not won at Anfield since September 2012 and visits into this hothouse atmosphere are always used as a gauge for the Gunners’ title-winning temperament and credentials – or lack of them.
It was in April, with Arsenal were cruising at 2-0, that Granit Xhaka unwisely infuriated Liverpool fans in a spat with Trent Alexander-Arnold, firing up Anfield to the extent that Mikel Arteta’s side ended up so ragged that they were fortunate to escape with a draw.
This was the moment the rot set in last season, the start of the late collapse that eventually saw the long-time leaders overhauled by eventual champions Manchester City.
The same litmus test was being prepared here, especially after Klopp took it upon himself to criticise the Anfield atmosphere after Liverpool thrashed West Ham United 5-1 in the Carabao Cup quarter-final in midweek.
