Despite Liverpool's recent struggles, hardly anyone enjoys playing at their famed Anfield. It remains one of the most formidable stadiums across the globe with legions of football juggernauts falling victim to the intimidating atmosphere.  

While repeatedly suffering shock defeats on trips away from London during this troubled season, Jurgen Klopp's side have managed to pocket 16 points from the last 18 on offer at Anfield. Only Manchester City, the defending champions, and Manchester United have a better record at home.  

For Arsenal, Anfield is an especially nightmarish place to visit. The Premier League leaders have not been able to grind out a victory at the arena for over a decade. Under Klopp, Liverpool have won each of their last six home ties against the Gunners by a 22-4 aggregate scoreline.

However, when Mikel Arteta's players arrived at Anfield on Sunday night, few could have predicted the drama that would follow. 

Brilliant strikes from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus had put Arsenal in dreamland and on course to restore their eight-point lead over City with only eight games to play.  

The two-goal lead was a fair reflection of Asenal's sparkling attacking play and utter dominance on the pitch in the opening 30 minutes. In sharp contrast, Liverpool were lifeless and the only noise at Anfield came from the delirious away fans.  

The unexpected turning point came when Granit Xhaka needlessly and petulantly shoved Trent Alexander-Arnold, which sparked a commotion and roused Liverpool and a previously muted home crowd.

Mohamed Salah immediately pulled one goal back for Liverpool before half-time and the hosts continued their aggressive fightback in the second half, with Arsenal resorting to time-wasting histrionics to take the sting out of the game.  

Though Salah incredibly missed the chance to equalize when he failed to convert a penalty, the substitute Roberto Firmino headed home an 87th-minute header that earned a 2-2 draw for the Reds. It could have been even worse for Arsenal had Aaron Ramsdale not produced a couple of sensational saves in injury time.  

"It was a spectacular game in the end. How we didn't win it with those late chances I don't know," observed Klopp after the showdown. "It was a bit typical of us this season. An open game, completely open. They score with the first situation and the second one. Our reaction was good. 

"I'm caught in between being happy and not. I have no problems with drawing. Arsenal were good but they could and should have lost this game. The point for them is better. All of a sudden we were in charge of a wild game."

According to stats provider Opta, Liverpool had 19 shots inside the opposition box at Anfield, the most efforts Arsenal have faced in a Premier League match since data became available. The draw also snapped Arsenal's 68 straight wins in all competitions in matches where they led by multiple goals.  

"The game was under control but after that we concede a really sloppy goal and the game shifted momentum. Then we lost control," said Arteta, who rued Arsenal's inability to put the game to bed.  

"It became a very transitional game, very chaotic. Liverpool could score three or four. It is true we could have scored two or three so maybe at the end the score is fair." 

For Arteta, the ramifications of this damaging draw will be hard to swallow.  

City are now only six points behind Arsenal with a game in hand. If Pep Guardiola's team win that extra game and beat Arsenal at home later this month, they will leapfrog the Gunners and be in pole position to retain the Premier League title. 

For all the resilience and character that Arsenal have shown this term, this devastating draw might come back to haunt them at the end of the season.