Adebayor off in heated Emirates draw

Arsenal had striker Emmanuel Adebayor sent off in the second half, which hampered their hopes of finding a winner after Keane's goal had cancelled out Robin van Persie's strike.

Arsene Wenger's men went into the match eight points off the pace, and perhaps more significantly they were - and remain - out of the top four following Aston Villa's win at West Ham.

Despite taking the lead through a fine strike from Van Persie after 24 minutes, it proved a false dawn as the Reds levelled before the break when Keane latched onto a long ball up-field and lashed in a thunderous shot.

Arsenal were forced to play the final 30 minutes with only 10 men after referee Howard Webb showed Adebayor his second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa.

The hosts took the lead against the run of play somewhat. Samir Nasri chipped a high ball through from just inside his own half towards the edge of the Liverpool penalty area.

Van Persie collected it on his chest before turning two defenders and spinning to fire a right-footed shot into the net.

Liverpool, whose form has dipped in recent weeks, were clearly rattled after having looked quite comfortable, but levelled three minutes before the break.

The ball was pumped from deep inside the Liverpool half by Daniel Agger and bounced over centre-half Johan Djourou into the path of Keane.

The former Tottenham striker - barracked by sections of the home crowd - let the ball bounce again on into the Arsenal penalty area before blasting it past Almunia, wheeling away in delight at having silenced the jeers.