Martin Skrtel’s 97th-minute leveller rescued a point at Anfield, while the Liverpool manager insists his side remain contenders for a place in the top four

Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool played better in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal than when they hammered Arsene Wenger’s side 5-1 at Anfield in February.

Liverpool dominated the opening half in Sunday’s clash at Anfield and took the lead through Philippe Coutinho but Mathieu Debuchy equalised before half-time.

Olivier Giroud put Arsenal in front after the break and it required a 97th-minute equaliser from Martin Skrtel to rescue a point for Liverpool, who have registered only two wins from their last nine Premier League matches.

“Slowly we are getting back to where we want to be. Our performance was outstanding, the passing, intensity and the pressing,” said Rodgers.

“So we are disappointed with the goals we conceded but our character was very good. We have played better and dominated more than we did last year when we won 5-1.”

Following the 2-2 draw in which Liverpool had 27 shots on goal and 62.8 per cent possession, Rodgers’ men sit nine points behind fourth-placed West Ham.

But the Liverpool manager insists his side are still contenders for a Champions League place: “Absolutely. It is always going to be a big challenge. Of course, we have to make up points but we have shown this is a club that can go on a run and win games.

“In the second half of last season, we went on a run of 11 wins. The most important thing is the confidence. When we bring Daniel Sturridge back in January, we can get back to being that team.”

The England international has only made three Premier League appearances this season and has travelled to Boston as he looks to make his recovery

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects striker Daniel Sturridge to return from a long-term thigh injury in early January.

The England international has managed only three appearances for his club this season after picking up a thigh injury on international duty in September.

Having returned to training, Sturridge suffered a setback in November and is currently in Boston continuing his rehabilitation programme.

Sturridge was a key figure in Liverpool’s ultimately unsuccessful Premier League title bid last season and, without him, Rodgers’ side have struggled for form this term.

However, after a week in which his side booked a League Cup semi-final berth and gained a dramatic point against Arsenal, the Northern Irishman revealed Sturridge was on course for a January return.

Asked by reporters when Sturridge was likely to be back in action, Rodgers explained: “That will probably be just after the Christmas period.

“The first phase of his rehab was out in LA where we did some specific work with him there.

“He’s gone to Boston to pick up the next stage, then he’ll move on again to a specialist facility out there and hopefully in the early part of the new year he’ll be back and be somewhere close to being fit and playing.

“At some stage in January, we’ll look to get Dan back. That will be really exciting for this team.

“We’ll put him into the mix again and go back to that flow of our game and results, hopefully.”

The Chilean’s delivery saw Mathieu Debuchy immediately cancel out Philippe Coutinho’s opener, but the Liverpool boss feels the set-piece should not have been awarded

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers accused Alexis Sanchez of diving to win a free kick during the Reds’ 2-2 draw with Arsenal at Anfield.

Martin Skrtel headed home in the 97th minute to avoid back-to-back Premier League defeats after Mathieu Debuchy and Olivier Giroud had given the Gunners the lead against the run of play.

Rodgers was happy with Liverpool’s display, as they limited Arsenal to 36.5 per cent possession and recorded 27 shots on goal, but accused the Chile star of simulation to hand his side an unfair advantage.

“Firstly it was an outstanding performance the quality of passing and movement on this pitch – which is awful here – the players put that to one side and some of our stuff was fantastic,” he told Sky Sports.

“We deserved to be one up at half-time and I don’t think it was a free kick in the build-up to their second.

“Alexis Sanchez dived for me and the referee bought it, but we have to defend better. We lost three duels and we need to win the first one.

“I’m delighted with our performances this week against Manchester United, Bournemouth and Arsenal, it shows we are getting back to where we are.

“At half-time we asked for more of the same with the same movement and then we showed great character to fight back from 2-1 down with 10 men.

“I don’t think before this week we have been close to that level of speed and thought. You have to be creative as a coach to find a system that brings you back to that.”