Liverpool fans joke Trent Alexander-Arnold played '4D chess' vs Arsenal to avoid dreaded curse

Liverpool fans have joked that Trent Alexander-Arnold played '4D chess' against Arsenal to avoid a repeat of a dreaded 'curse'.

The Reds drew 1-1 with Arsenal on December 23, with Mohamed Salah cancelling out Gabriel Magalhaes' early header to ensure the scores were level at full time.

Both sides, though, had opportunities to win the game, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli among those going close for Arsenal in the second half.

Liverpool's best chance came late on, when Salah picked the ball up in his own half following an error from Martin Odegaard and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Salah drove forward and played the ball across to Alexander-Arnold, whose effort smashed against the crossbar before bouncing clear.

Unfortunately for the Liverpool right-back, replays showed the ball had bobbled as it reached his foot, meaning his shot went too high.

Liverpool's failure to win meant they were not on top of the Premier League table at Christmas, although have since reclaimed that position from the Gunners.

The Reds have topped the table on December 25 on six occasions since the Premier League began in 1992 - but have only gone on to win the title once, in the 2019/20 season.

As a result, therefore, some Liverpool fans made the same light-hearted joke about Alexander-Arnold's miss on X (Twitter).

One fan wrote: "Bro... 17D chess from Trent."

Another said: "Avoided the top of the league at Christmas curse and then reclaimed top spot straight after."

A third simply added: "Thank you Trent Alexander-Arnold."

Liverpool will end 2023 on top of the Premier League, unless Arsenal defeat Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday to regain top spot.

Jurgen Klopp's side do not play again until New Year's Day, when they take on out-of-form Newcastle at Anfield. The Reds will look to bounce back from consecutive home draws in the Premier League against Manchester United and Arsenal.