Liverpool and Arsenal have gone into the interval of their Premier League meeting locked at 1-1 following a dramatic conclusion to the first half.
Philippe Coutinho had edged his side ahead moments before the break following a strong showing from the Reds, only for Mathieu Debuchy managed to level up in the dying seconds with a back-post header against the run of play.
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The Brazilian took advantage of a huge gap in the visiting side's midfield early on, which forced Per Mertesacker into making a rash challenge on the edge of the penalty area. Steven Gerrard could not hit the target with his subsequent free kick.
Some neat link-up play between Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana allowed the latter to work away a shot on goal which flew narrowly over, as Liverpool took control of the possession stakes in the early stages.
The Reds continued to press as the first half wore on, and, moments after Mertesacker denied Raheem Sterling - fielded in a central attacking position once more this afternoon - Coutinho unleashed an effort from long range which was hit straight at Wojciech Szczesny.
Markovic squandered two good openings to edge his side ahead as Liverpool's profligacy began to tell, failing to convert after being played in by Gerrard before seeing his first-time curler fly wide of the target.
Then came a manic couple of minutes on Merseyside as Coutinho finally gave the hosts the lead with a precise finish off the post following some sloppy Arsenal play, but Debuchy managed to level things up by out-jumping Martin Skrtel to nod the ball home with the last action of the half.
Daniel Lewis
