Liverpool’s Premier League coronation has been delayed thanks to second-placed Arsenal drawing 2-2 with Crystal Palace to keep the title race alive for a few more days at least.
Chasing a record-tying 20th English top-flight championship, Liverpool can take care of business on Sunday by avoiding defeat to Tottenham at Anfield. That would ensure the Reds cannot be caught by Arsenal with four more rounds remaining.
The Gunners twice squandered the lead at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, with Jean-Philippe Mateta taking advantage of defensive sloppiness to score Crystal Palace’s second equaliser in the 83rd and leave Mikel Arteta’s team 12 points behind Liverpool.
One more point is needed by Arne Slot’s side to clinch a second title in five years and draw level with fierce rivals Manchester United on No.20.
Becoming the champion in 2020 ended the storied club’s 30-year title drought but Liverpool’s players couldn’t celebrate in front of their fans because of restrictions during the pandemic.
Arsenal, who started with star forward Bukayo Saka on the bench, looked vulnerable throughout against Palace, with their players perhaps having an eye on the Champions League semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain starting next week.
They went ahead through Jakub Kiwior’s header in the third minute, with Palace replying when playmaker Eberechi Eze met a corner with a brilliantly taken volley that flew in off the post in the 27th.
Leandro Trossard wriggled free in the area and scored with a deflected shot in the 42nd minute to restore Arsenal’s lead but Mateta had the final say after capitalising on William Saliba’s mistake and floating a shot over stranded goalkeeper David Raya from around 40 metres.
Arsenal have been runners-up to Manchester City in the Premier League the previous two seasons and are facing a third straight second-placed finish.
However, an improving City — 2-1 winners over Aston Villa on Tuesday — are only six points behind Arsenal in third.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/soccer/arsenal-held-liverpool-epl-title-celebs-on-ice-c-18468395
