First, a guard of honour - then, a friendly draw

The vice-champions gave the Premier League winners a friendly Guard of Honour ahead of their duel at Anfield, and the game itself ended in a friendly draw - 2-2.

The Reds were way better during the first half, scoring two goals - over Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz - in 87 seconds, though they could have netted at least three or four.

After the break, the Gunners fought to save their honour and managed to level by the 70th minute through Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino's goals.

Even though the final outcome wasn't important, both teams put in good and fighting performances, so the crowd at Anfield and the fans who watched the game can be pleased.

Despite Arsenal's passionate beginning and the Gunners' pressure on Liverpool's defensive line, Mikel Arteta's men couldn't save themselves from a "red avalanche."

In only 87 seconds - between the 20th and 21st minute - Liverpool scored twice, securing a firm lead at the break! Cody Gakpo opened the scoring with a header, following a quickly taken throw-in by the Reds, which caught Arsenal's defence unprepared.

Just a bit over a minute later, William Saliba made an unsuccessful offside trap, opening space for Dominik Szoboszlai, who passed it for Luis Diaz's easy goal to double the home team's lead.

Liverpool's blitzkrieg stunned the visitors, and Curtis Jones could have made it 3-0 minutes later, but David Raya came to the rescue, and the score did not change until the break.

After being harshly slapped in the face during the opening half, the Gunners had to bounce back after the break, and they did it minutes into the second half when Gabriel Martinelli headed the ball into the net following Leandro Trossard's cross.

Arsenal's dominance continued with Ben White's 54th-minute effort, which Alisson excellently stopped. The Brazilian was great again in the 70th minute when he - with the slight help of the post - saved Martin Odegaard's missile, but unfortunately for the keeper, Mikel Merino headed the rebound in, levelling the score!

In the end, the scoreboard showed when the ref blew his final whistle and the rivals shared spoils. The Reds were much closer to the winner in the final 15-20 minutes, especially since the 79th minute when Merino received a second yellow. Slot's men even scored deep in added time, but Andy Robertson's goal was disallowed for Ibrahima Konate's foul on Myles Lewis-Skelly, so Liverpool failed to convert the advantage in the end.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 36

Saturday

Fulham - Everton 1-3 (1-1)

/Jimenez 17 - Mykolenko 45+3, Keane 70, Beto 73/

Ipswich - Brentford 0-1 (0-1)

/Schade 18/

Southampton - Man. City 0-0

Wolverhampton - Brighton 0-2 (0-1)

/Welbeck 28 pen, Gruda 85/

Bournemouth - Aston Villa 0-1 (0-1)

/Watkins 45+6/

Sunday

Newcastle - Chelsea 2-0 (1-0)

/Tonali 2, Guimaraes 90/

Manchester United - West Ham 0-2 (0-1)

/Soucek 26, Bowen 57/

Nottingham Forest - Leicester 2-2 (1-1)

/Gibbs-White 25, Wood 56 - Coady 16, Buonanotte 81/

Tottenham - Crystal Palace 0-2 (0-1)

/Eze 45, 48/

Liverpool - Arsenal 2-2 (2-0)

/Gakpo 20, Diaz 21 - Martinelli 47, Merino 70/