Saka goal ‘sensational’ on injury return… before Van Dijk heads reply

Bukayo Saka made a memorable return after missing three games through injury by firing in after nine minutes of Arsenal vs Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday – but Virgil van Dijk headed in nine minutes later after being implicated in the opening goal.

England international Saka charged onto Ben White’s long ball, beat Andrew Robertson to enter the penalty area on the right and lashed a fierce finish into the roof of the net for his 50th Premier League goal, all of which have come for the Gunners.

“Sensational from Saka,” former Manchester United captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports, adding that he would have “expected” Van Dijk to “get there” and help Robertson. “It is so, so good. There was a nutmeg and then the finish… emphatic.”

STOP THAT, Bukayo Saka. 😍 pic.twitter.com/OhH1AZnpFO

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 27, 2024

Van Dijk goal vs Arsenal

Van Dijk duly equalised with his first top-flight goal of the campaign, stooping to head in after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner.

A super response from Liverpool’s captain 🔴 pic.twitter.com/lNUemc1wwQ

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 27, 2024

“[Luis] Diaz got a brilliant flick on at the near post,” added Neville, praising the visitors, who can move a point above Manchester City at the top of the table with victory, for a “great response”.

Kai Havertz also sent a good chance over the crossbar before Arsenal were denied a penalty following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check.

Big player for big moments.

50 Premier League goals for our Bukayo ❤️ pic.twitter.com/qCe3RUoTJX

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 27, 2024

Arsenal vs Liverpool line-ups

Saka was captaining Arsenal in the continuing absence of midfielder Martin Odegaard through injury and was making his comeback from a hamstring issue which had kept him out of matches including his side’s 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth eight days earlier.

He had contributed three goals and seven assists in his first 10 games of the season, making his inclusion an invaluable one as Arsenal took on opponents with a perfect away record.

Influential Arsenal centre-back William Saliba was suspended for a straight red card he received at Bournemouth, with Jurrien Timber replacing him.

😤 pic.twitter.com/FPU7A1aFj6

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 27, 2024

New Liverpool manager Arne Slot was taking charge in the fixture for the first time and aiming to build on a run of eight consecutive wins.

The Reds have made an impressive start to the Dutchman’s tenure, last dropping points with a surprise home defeat to Nottingham Forest on September 14.

Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister came into Slot’s starting side, with Darwin Nunez also named but fellow forward Diogo Jota out through injury.