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.”