Liverpool had been ahead from the seventh minute when Steven Gerrard blasted home a 20-yarder from a tapped free-kick.

Arsenal had dominated possession from then on, hitting the woodwork twice, but Liverpool could not hang on to what would have been a famous victory.

Alonso could not continue and Alvaro Arbeloa took over, Liverpool’s midfield now looking somewhat makeshift.

Arsenal sent on Gilberto and Nicklas Bendtner for Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue after 74 minutes, just seconds before Kuyt’s dipping volley cleared Almunia and skimmed the top of the netting.

But on 80 minutes Arsenal got themselves level after Alexander Hleb’s run on the left created the space for Fabregas to squeeze home the equaliser, wrong-footing Jose Reina from eight yards.

Fabregas then hit the post from 20 yards in the 86th minute, with Bendtner firing the rebound over the bar.

Crouch’s touch then sent Gerrard surging into the box and only Mathieu Flamini’s block stopped the Liverpool captain. Carragher was then booked for a foul on Adebayor.

Liverpool, almost dead on their feet, hung on and were even coming forward at the end, but a draw was a fair result.