Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger left Anfield in angry mood after Emile Heskey's late header gave Liverpool a controversial draw at Anfield.

Wenger was furious that referee Mark Halsey awarded the injury time corner that led to Heskey's leveller.

Arsenal looked set to tighten their Premiership stranglehold after goals from Robert Pires and Dennis Bergkamp gave them a 2-1 lead.

But Heskey added to John Arne Riise's strike to leave Arsenal claiming they had been robbed of all three points.

Wenger insisted a goal-kick should have been awarded after a tackle between Milan Baros and Oleg Luzhny.

Riise celebrates his power drive

He said: "It was not a corner, never, but what can you do about decisions like that?

"It didn't help us, but in the end we had the chance to defend the corner but we didn't. And then we didn't defend the cross for Heskey to score.

"It has made it difficult for Liverpool to contest the title. It is between ourselves, Manchester United and Newcastle."

Arsenal had dominated long spells but wasted chances, and Wenger added: "I was happy with the way we played, the style. Ask the fans what they felt, it was a great game.

"We did 90% of the job but didn't finish the way we should have. But a point here is still good, it was frustrating for us but not too bad with a draw in the end."

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier hailed his side's character.

He said: "They are a fantastic side, and played some great stuff, you can't deny that.

Arsenal keeper David Seaman is dejected

"They were fresher than us because we had a hard game on Sunday and they had an easy one on Saturday.

"But we did so well to twice come back in the game. They were superb in the first half and had several chances, but in the second period we got the ball down and played well.

"I told the lads at the break that Arsenal had played well but we could match them."

On the controversial corner, Houllier added: "I couldn't really see it and I asked the TV lads but they said it wasn't clear. Given what happened at Highbury to us, a draw this time was a fair result."