Jai Arrow revelled in the “experience of a lifetime” as Liverpool hosted him as a special guest at their Premier League blockbuster against Arsenal at Anfield on Monday (AEDT).
Liverpool’s iconic pre-match anthem, You’ll Never Walk Alone, has become synonymous with Arrow’s brave battle with motor neurone disease this year.
Jai Arrow and wife Berina at Anfield. Liverpool
Liverpool shared a photo on social media of Arrow and wife Berina holding his personalised Reds shirt on the Anfield sidelines before kick off.
“Thanks for everything team, an experience of a lifetime. My turn to return serve offer is there from myself and (South Sydney Rabbitohs). If you’re ever in Australia we’d love to host you guys. YNWA,” Arrow replied.
Former NRL star Arrow announced his MND diagnosis in May.
The only thing missing from a magical occasion was a Liverpool win as defending champions Arsenal won at Anfield for the first time in 14 years.
Kai Havertz was the 16th minute match-winner for Arsenal, with the 1-0 triumph sending the Gunners three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the standings.
Liverpool is fifth and manager Andoni Iraola was left frustrated by Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber getting away with a clear jersey pull in the 21st minute.
Timber’s actions prevented Alexander Isak from reaching a cross but instead of falling to the turf and appealing for a penalty, the Liverpool striker simply laughed in his direction.
“That’s the problem we have with the game – because he doesn’t dive and go to the floor,” Iraola said.
“There is a clear grab of the shirt. Alex was just in front of him, he was going to head in front of the goal but couldn’t because he had the shirt. I don’t understand why they didn’t call it, probably because he has not gone to the floor…
“If he goes to the floor, they call the penalty, 100 per cent. Should it be like this? No. But it is what it is. Now the manager should tell Alex: next time you have to go to the floor; otherwise they won’t call it.”
A reporter then directly asked Iraola if he would tell him to do just that.
“Yes, definitely,” he replied.
It was a strong response from Arsenal, who had been stunned by fourth-tier Fleetwood Town in a League Cup penalty shootout in their previous start.
“We just said after the last few days, after the defeat against Fleetwood, that things happen for a reason and that’s going to give us another spring and hunger and belief to go and do it,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.
Arteta played in the last Arsenal team to win at Anfield, a 2-1 win in 2012.
“What the team has done here today is incredible,” he continued.
“(Liverpool) are in a really good moment. It was really deserved, to come here and win in the manner that we have done, I think the players deserve so much credit. This is the magical thing about football. It’s so unpredictable, the next result.”
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