Arsenal held a two-goal lead to a 2-2 draw with hosts Liverpool and escaped defeat at the last minute, but dropped two valuable points in the English Premier League title race on Sunday.

Arsenal were on course to consolidate their lead in the league, eight points clear of Manchester City, but are now six points ahead of the defending champions who have a postponed match in addition to the expected clash between the two teams.

Gabriel Martinelli scored for Arsenal eight minutes later, and Gabriel Jesus added a second in the 28th minute with a header.

Three minutes before the break, Mohamed Salah cut the deficit for the hosts following the ball, but in the second half he missed a perfect chance to equalize with a penalty kick wide of the goal.

But three minutes before the end of normal time, substitute Roberto Firmino headed home from close range after a Trent Alexander-Arnold pass.

In stoppage time, Salah missed a dangerous chance from close range, then fired a perfect shot from the right, which goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdell converted for a corner kick, and his team-mate Ibrahim Konad also missed a chance on his chest.

Arsenal lead the table with 73 points from 30 matches, while defending champions City are second with 67 points from 29 matches.

Liverpool are eighth with 44 points. .