Liverpool vs. Arsenal: Winners and Losers from Premier League Game

ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL — Martin Skrtel's header in the 97th minute rescued a deserved point for Liverpool in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Arsenal at Anfield.

The Slovakian equalised for Brendan Rodgers' during the nine minutes of stoppage time after he'd suffered a head injury earlier in the second half.

Liverpool dominated possession, looking particularly impressive in the first half, although they were unable to find their finishing touch. They finally found the breakthrough through their best player on the day, Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian's shot went in off the post at the Anfield Road End.

There was still time for Arsenal to get an equaliser, completely against the run of play, right before half-time.

Liverpool's Achilles' heel returned, with more poor defending on a set piece. Skrtel seemingly had lead in his boots, which allowed Mathieu Debuchy to head in. Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones was hardly impressive with his attempts to save the header from close range.

Arsenal took the lead after the break through Oliver Giroud, scoring on the counter-attack after good work from Kieran Gibbs.

With Skrtel's late equaliser, the teams shared the points, leaving Liverpool nine points off fourth place at Christmas.

Here are the winners and losers from the match.

Winner: Mathieu Debuchy

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The Frenchman rose above Skrtel on the stroke of half-time to head in the equaliser. It was a goal that changed the course of this game.

The decision by Arsene Wenger to play Debuchy—naturally a right-back—at centre-back and have young Calum Chambers at right-back instead was a bold one, and it paid off.

Debuchy impressed alongside Per Mertesacker, whose early booking meant Debuchy needed to be the one to lead the defence.

But Wenger insists his back line will need to maintain concentration, as Sean Gallagher of the Daily Mail quoting the Gunners boss as saying, "Overall I think once they were down to 10 men they were not dangerous any more. To concede the corner that was a bit unlucky but then we didn't jump with Skrtel."

He added, "Overall it is a fair result but a frustrating result for us because they came back when we had plenty of defenders on the pitch and could have defended the set-piece much better."

Loser: Fabio Borini

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Oh dear. You have to feel for Fabio Borini. After being exiled for a month—he wasn't named in Rodgers' squad for four games—the Italian was brought on with two minutes left against Bournemouth in midweek.

His cameo Sunday arrived earlier, but he left the pitch having made the opposite impression he was hoping for.

Passionate and enthusiastic, he looks frustrated at his situation, and it showed. First, Borini picked up a booking for slamming the ball down after a throw-in was awarded against him. Then minutes later, he received his second booking for leaving his foot high on Santi Cazorla.

As he ran down the tunnel, it could be the last time we see Borini in a Liverpool shirt, with the January transfer window now just two games away.

Winner: Lazar Markovic

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It was a brave and bold decision by Rodgers to continue with Lazar Markovic as left wing-back following his good display at Bournemouth in the League Cup on Wednesday.

The Serbian showed he was up for the challenge against a higher calibre of opposition, as he was consistently Liverpool's attacking outlet down the left side in the first half. He showed good strength and composure in possession, often interchanging well with good one-touch passing.

He did, though, like all of Liverpool's midfielders, miss a good chance in the first half. 

Markovic was subbed for Fabio Borini on 73 minutes as he tired, but he can be happy with his performance.

Loser: Steven Gerrard

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The Liverpool captain never looks at his best when playing three games in a week, which he did Sunday, having played at Manchester United and Bournemouth in the last seven days.

He looked extremely leggy in the second half, as his pass and shot selection was poor. He also gave the ball away for Arsenal to make it 2-1.

Rodgers' refusal to ever substitute his captain is proving a frustrating one.

Winner: Kieran Gibbs

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Kieran Gibbs impressed in the second half for the visitors, and his excellent run set up Giroud's goal to give Arsenal a 2-1 advantage

The English full-back became a key player for Arsenal as the game wore on, but Dominic King reported a different view in his player ratings for the Daily Mail.

He wrote of Gibbs, "Had his head in his hands at the final whistle and rightly so; he came off the post and Skrtel was able to equalise."

Losers: Arsenal Fans

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Liverpool supporters have been used to opposing fans singing that Steven Gerrard song this season, the one which (for any side except Manchester City and Chelsea) celebrates another team winning one match and ultimately another team winning the title.

Quite why Arsenal fans sing about an incident that happened to give Chelsea three points against Liverpool is baffling.

Not content with one song about Gerrard, there were two within the opening five minutes, followed by another about Scousers. What happened to supporting your own side?

The travelling Gunners then went on to declare how Luis Suarez "left because you're s**t"—a song which shows absolutely no logic. Those Arsenal fans seemingly forget about how Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie left for Manchester City and United, respectively, in order to actually win the title.