WOW, what an exhilarating first half it was as Liverpool clashed with Arsenal at Anfield.

It served as a fantastic showcase for the Premier League as the Gunners secured a slender 1-0 victory.

The first half brimmed with incidents – one could claim Liverpool midfielder Trey Nyoni’s tackles on Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz warranted two yellow cards.

It’s open to interpretation. The first offense is undoubtedly a yellow card for a reckless challenge on the Arsenal captain, Odegaard.

Would Nyoni have made the second tackle if he had been already booked? That’s tough to say.

Additionally, Liverpool raised a couple of penalty appeals in that first half.

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I feel the first call — involving Christos Tzolis against Cody Gakpo — didn’t meet the threshold for a penalty.

However, the incident with Jurrien Timber, as he clearly pulled Alexander Isak’s shirt, should have resulted in a penalty in my view.

It baffles me how VAR overlooked that and failed to advise referee Andy Madley to review the situation.

If Timber doesn’t grab Isak’s shirt, the Liverpool striker gets to the ball.

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I was genuinely surprised that VAR did not intervene in that particular scenario.

Arsenal ultimately benefited from the decision, capturing all three points and maintaining their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Havertz netted the solitary goal in the intense first half.

The closing moments were also heated, with Alexis Mac Allister igniting a significant confrontation.