The numbers speak for themselves. Not only does Mohamed Salah thrive against the Premier League’s weaker players, he also routinely slams Liverpool’s rivals in the so-called Big Six. And so it was here again. Yet again.

The first half was a story of Bukayo Saka’s outstanding performance for Arsenal. He scored a wonderful opening goal and after Virgil van Dijk helped Liverpool get off the canvas, Mikel Merino scored Arsenal’s first goal. Mikel Arteta’s team seemed to be hoping for a clear win in a game they dared not lose.

Everything changed in the second half. Arsenal lost Gabriel Magalhães and Jurriën Timber to injury, depleting their already stretched defensive reserves, and Liverpool continued to move forward. They didn’t create much, but they just had to create something. When they did, Salah ensured a result that increased the feel-good factor under Arne Slot.

It was Darwin Núñez who made the final pass after excellent work from Trent Alexander-Arnold, and then it was Salah who swept the ball into the goal. When the low cross reached him there was no doubt about the goal and the statistics now show that Salah has amassed a total of 62 goals and assists in 73 games against Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and the Manchester clubs. It was his 11th league goal in 15 games against Arsenal.

The draw was the fair result, although Arsenal would go on a rampage at the very end when substitute Ethan Nwaneri had the ball in the net. The referee, Anthony Taylor, had long since blown his whistle, although it wasn’t entirely clear why at the moment.

Arteta had said on Tuesday that Saka, who had not played since England’s defeat to Greece on October 10, was “unlikely” but everyone knows it is never advisable to make too much conclusions about his injured players. Saka showed no signs of ring rust.

It’s worth reflecting on how he manipulated space for the breakthrough goal and how he captivated Andy Robertson inside and out with a touch of mesmerizing brilliance. Saka’s first attempt was to take a long ball from Ben White up the channel under his influence, but it was all about the second; a mischievous nutmeg with the outside of his left boot at Robertson as he cut into it. It was even slightly stunned, which opened up the opportunity to shoot. Saka shot the ball high into Caoimhín Kelleher’s near post.

Liverpool weren’t down for long. Van Dijk had shown he was ready to fight by colliding with Kai Havertz early on and firing two shots at the Arsenal striker. Taylor called for a free kick and took no further action. Which was confusing. Van Dijk was a target for the home crowd after that, but he didn’t care.

Salah had half a chance wasted after a miscontrol from Merino as Van Dijk stuck his head where it hurt to bring his team level. It was an inward Alexander Arnold corner from the left, and Luis Díaz was the first to get the ball ahead of Havertz. Van Dijk’s touch on the ball in a crowded six-yard box was crucial.

Arsenal weren’t down for long. The intensity of their performance in the first half was truly something special, and the same can clearly be said of Saka’s performance. Every time he stormed in, alarm bells rang. He was often too fast and too tricky; always have control over the situation. He suffered several blows. At times it seemed to be the only way for Liverpool.

Arsenal deserved to take the lead again at half-time, the goal coming after a chaotically long video referee review. They had put the free-kick routine to the test in the 19th minute when Declan Rice fired the ball over the goal from the right and Merino timed his run precisely. On this occasion he clashed with his own team-mate Thomas Partey and the chance was wasted. Well, with 43 minutes to go, Merino hit it just right, the header from a crouched position opened the goal, and Van Dijk’s foot appeared to have played it just offside.

Gabriel Martinelli was denied by a desperate tackle from Ibrahima Konaté after half an hour, while the Arsenal winger also lifted high when placed well. Alexis Mac Allister headed too close to David Raya in first-half stoppage time, but Liverpool were forced to step up at the break.

The contest was shaped in part by people Arteta didn’t have in defense – notably William Saliba, who was suspended, and Riccardo Calafiori, who has a knee problem. His move was to start Partey at right-back, shuffle White into right-centre half and ask Timber, who had passed a late fitness check, to step in at left-back.

In the 54th minute, Arteta was forced into another substitution and his defense became even more makeshift when Gabriel was unable to continue after apparently hitting his knee on the turf. Jakub Kiwior came in to replace White in the middle. Did Arteta have someone in his most famous position at the back?

Liverpool sensed there might be something in it for them; Arsenal’s support grew restless. Slot had teamed up with Curtis Jones in the No. 10 role; He also gave Mac Allister the opportunity to move forward. After an hour he brought on Dominik Szoboszlai for Mac Allister as part of a triple substitution; Now Szoboszlai had the No. 10 position.

Liverpool pushed; Arsenal intervened, none more so than Timber, who began to tense up before he too had to leave. Myles Lewis-Skelly arrived. There were still 15 minutes to play.

After the break it was all Arsenal could do to escape their half. It became a test of her resolve. Liverpool’s dominance in the second third was almost complete in a territorial sense and they knew they might just need a moment to enjoy their reward.

Alexander-Arnold, whose influence was increasing, was at the heart of the second equalizer, his ball landing in the inside right channel for Núñez, a real beauty. Salah started to move inwards from the flank and when Núñez crossed, everyone knew what would happen next.