Altercation with Xhaka ignited Anfield fans — Arnold

Arnold and Xhaka face off during the Arsenal vs Liverpool clash

Altercation with Xhaka ignited Anfield fans — Arnold

Faruq Ibrahim 23:39 - 09.04.2023

Trent Alexander-Arnold recounts key incident in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

Liverpool fans at Anfield have been largely credited for creating an atmosphere that egged their side on to fight back from two goals down and earn a draw against Arsenal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has noted a crucial part of the game, his tangle with Xhaka, which sparked the Anfield crowd to life after two Arsenal goals had kept them relatively quiet. 

Liverpool played out a thrilling 2-2 draw with Arsenal earlier in the day, leaving the Premier League race wide open. 

The match in brief

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The Gunners got out to a strong start like the league leaders they are, and a Gabriel Martinelli goal gave them the lead inside the opening ten minutes.

In the 28th minute of the game, Gabriel Jesus doubled Arteta's team's advantage. But, shortly before halftime, Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool get one back.

The Reds had a strong second-half start and were given a penalty early on, but Salah played wide. But, Liverpool's replacement Roberto Firmino scored an equaliser late in a half in which they gave it their all.

What Trent said

The Liverpool right-back had a tussle with the Switzerland international, which led to a yellow card for both players in the 41st minute of the game. 

The event, however, saw the Anfield crowd riled, and like a sleeping giant awoken, they went full swing into supporting their team. 

The reward was visible almost immediately after as Salah scored roughly a minute after both players saw yellow to pull one back for his side and through the rest of the game, as Arteta admitted, Liverpool could have scored many more. 

Looking back at the incident, Arnold said games of such profile needed moments like that, and he thought there was nothing wrong with it, saying it got the crowd going. 

 "I think a little bit of fire in a game like that there’s nothing wrong with it,” Trent explained, per the BBC.

“He nudged me off the ball, so it’s a natural reaction to do it back. It got the crowd going."

Liverpool travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United in their next game in the Premier League.

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