Easy’ – Virgil van Dijk aims dig at Arsenal’s famed defence after scoring crucial Liverpool equaliser in Premier League title race showdown

Van Dijk netted an 18th-minute equaliser at the Emirates Stadium after Bukayo Saka had fired Arsenal into an early lead, suggesting it wasn’t hard to escape the attentions of marker Thomas Partey. Although Mikel Merino restored Arsenal’s lead, Liverpool breached the home defence again late on when Mohamed Salah ensured the points would be shared.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Arsenal’s greatest strength last season was their defence, but William Saliba was suspended for the visit of Liverpool after getting sent off in last weekend’s shock defeat to Bournemouth. That meant Ben White moving across from right-back to partner Gabriel and Thomas Partey filling in on the flank. This season, Liverpool are the defensive standard bearers, conceding only five times in nine Premier League games.

  WHAT VIRGIL VAN DIJK SAID

  Van Dijk said: “It’s a very tough place to come, teams have noticed that over the years. They have created a solid team and make it difficult for everyone. To come back twice is a good thing, we take the point – that’s the feeling. When I was marked by Thomas Partey, he only looked at me, so it was quite easy to get away from him. You need a bit of luck, and I was there to tap it in. I try to be important on every set-piece we have.”

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

  Liverpool lost top spot in the Premier League due to Manchester City beating Southampton 24 hours earlier. They are in action at the same time or later than the champions in each of the next three gameweeks, so will be relying on City dropping points if the balance is to shift again. But the pair then meet each other at Anfield on December 1.