ARSENAL LIVERPOOL

MIKEL ARTETA did say he wanted to buy a Virgil Van Dijk – and the Liverpool star looked every inch an Arsenal defender last night.

The champions were cruising through Sadio Mane’s goal when the usually ultra-reliable Dutch master handed the Gunners an equaliser.

Arsenal’s defending has been dreadful lately and Van Dijk’s terrible backpass that allowed Alexandre Lacazette to score was right out of the same playbook.

When Reiss Nelson punished a similarly poor ball by Alisson to put the Gunners in front in the 44th minute, a shock was on the cards.

And when the final whistle went after a goalless second half, Jurgen Klopp and his side were left knowing a 100-point season is now out of their grasp.

They went into the game needing to win to have any chance of beating

Manchester City’s record Premier League points tally of a round ton.

And Klopp took no chances after his side’s 1-1 draw with Burnley so out went the kids and in came the big guns.

But with an FA Cup semi-final looming against his former club City on Saturday, Arteta started with Pierreemerick Aubameyang on the bench.

There were changes at the back, too, in the revolving door of Arsenal’s creaky defence.

Rob Holding got the recall with Kieran Tierney dropping into the back three in the wake of Arsenal’s defeat to local rivals Tottenham.

The Gunners are heading for their