Liverpool missed the chance to go top of the Premier League table at Christmas as it drew 1-1 with Arsenal on Saturday evening. The Gunners threatened to open up a commanding advantage in first place when Gabriel headed them in front after just four minutes, but Mohamed Salah thumped the host level moments before the half-hour mark.
The result keeps Mikel Arteta’s side a point clear at the top of the table, with the Reds ahead of story-of-the-season Aston Villa on goal difference. The Villans themselves could have enjoyed the festivities as league leaders, but they had to rescue a draw at home to newly promoted Sheffield United on Friday night.
Manchester City, meanwhile, had its game with Brentford postponed due to its commitments at the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. City, which thrashed Brazilian club Fluminense 4-0 to win the tournament, has fallen to fifth in the table but has a game in hand, and will return to action against Everton on Wednesday.
Liverpool, meanwhile, is preparing for a Boxing Day trip to Burnley as Arsenal looks ahead to a home game against West Ham on December 28. Here are your must-read Liverpool.com stories on Christmas Eve.
André transfer ‘agreed’ after Liverpool links
Liverpool wanted to make Fluminense midfielder André the latest piece of its rebuild during the summer but ended up moving away from the deal. Now, fellow Premier League side Fulham, according to Football Insider, could get him instead. Marco Silva’s side has apparently agreed a deal with the Copa Libertadores champion to sign the 22-year-old in January.
Now, it all depends on whether the player himself gives the green light and packs his bags for West London, with Liverpool watching on. Read more on this
PGMOL explains Liverpool controversy that left Gary Neville baffled
Twenty minutes into Liverpool’s game against Arsenal, with the Reds still trailing, the home side appealed for a penalty when the ball struck the arm of Martin Ødegaard. VAR reviewed the incident thoroughly, but did not determine that referee Chris Kavanagh had made a clear and obvious error by not awarding a spot-kick.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said that Ødegaard had made a ‘lucky’ escape as he watched the replays, but the PGMOL subsequently pointed out that the Norwegian was moving his arm towards his body, rather than away from it, when he touched the ball.
