Roberto Firmino rescued a point for Liverpool in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Arsenal.

The Reds had taken the lead after just 26 minutes at the Emirates Stadium as Philippe Coutinho headed Mohamed Salah’s deflected shot past Petr Cech.

Salah would go onto extend the visitors’ lead in the second half when he was able to convert with another deflection, this time of Shkodran Mustafi.

It sparked a remarkable transformation for the Gunners as they pulled back three goals in five minutes through Alexis Sanchez, Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil.

The final word would belong to Firmino to spare Jurgen Klopp’s side as the Brazilian’s effort was palmed into the net by Cech just 18 minutes from time.

Here were the key talking points from the Emirates:

Klopp has to shift the deadwood

 

Transfers may not be an overriding solution to Liverpool’s problems in Jurgen Klopp’s eyes but it surely must be worth reconsidering after this evidence.

The usual suspects of Simon Mignolet, Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan once again showed why they are unlikely to have long-term prospects at Anfield.

Granted, Klavan has been fairly stable and unassuming in recent weeks but he was often found wanting in a chaotic Reds’ back line during the second half.

Criticising Lovren and Mignolet may seem almost archaic but as Klopp’s most experienced and expensive pairing in defence, they are the most problematic.

The Croatian may not like difficult questions but he needs to face up to some home truths sooner rather than later as both he and Mignolet remain on borrowed time.

Familiar story of Reds’ wastefulness

 

One game of wasted chances is misfortune but two is sheer carelessness.

Like Everton before them, Arsenal delivered a perfect reminder of why Liverpool must take advantage of their embarrassment of opportunities in front of goal.

They could have comfortably been four goals to the good by half time but for Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane uncharacteristically spurning efforts.

Given Klopp’s reaction to Everton’s smash-and-grab draw in the Merseyside derby less than a fortnight ago, their second half display feels almost unforgivable.

Further lapses will see the Liverpool manager facing questions about his squad’s instability – a potentially difficult enlightening in the wake of his recent outbursts.

Salah and co. now vying for greatness

 

Any side that attempts to go toe-to-toe with Liverpool’s current attack knows to expect an onslaught but Arsenal clearly caught them on a bad day.

In a first half when the hosts’ defence was left at sixes and sevens, Salah should have recorded a hat-trick. On any given day, he almost certainly would.

Time and again openings were made by all kinds of providers, however they were often spurned by the otherwise free-scoring Egypt international.

Once balance finally is restored to other parts of the field, the attacking line-up of Salah and company could well be challenging as one of the world’s best.

Robertson relishes the main event

 

A first-team spot at Liverpool has been hard to come by for Andy Robertson.

With Alberto Moreno currently out of the picture, however, the Scotland mainstay was finally gifted a chance to impress following a summer arrival from Hull City.

Until Klopp’s side capitulated five minutes into the second half, Robertson had offered a measured and level-headed display on the left-hand side of defence.

Swinging in dangerous crosses plenty and often, he also held up well with the bulk of Arsenal’s pressing approach regularly flying in his direction.

It was fairly noticeable that all bar one of Liverpool’s goals leaked emanated from the opposing flank, leaving an in-form Joe Gomez facing rare scrutiny.

Robertson faces a fight to retain his place when Moreno returns but has already shown himself better-equipped at both ends of the field than his maligned teammate.