Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech says Philippe Coutinho’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time had a huge impact on the Gunners defeat against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

READ: It was my best goal yet – Coutinho

READ: Coutinho’s sublime free kick

The Gunners were leading through Theo Walcott’s strike heading into the break, before a fine free-kick from the Brazilian in first-half injury time levelled matters, reports the Arsenal website.

The former Chelsea shot-stopper believes the moment game shifted in the Reds favour was when Coutinho equalised on the stroke of half-time.

‘I thought for the first 45 minutes we were excellent,’ Cech said.

‘We played well, we got a goal, we had opportunities and we missed a penalty, but the reaction was great because we scored two minutes later. It was a perfect start for us.

‘The moment shifted when they got an equaliser in the last minute of the first half. I thought if we concentrated and continued to play well we were going to win the game but, within a 15-minute spell, they scored three and decided the game.’

Cech insists his side did well to come back into the game but ran out of time looking for the equalising goal.

‘We had a great reaction to come back into the game at 4-3, but we didn’t have enough time to equalise,’ he added.

Despite the defeat and conceding four goals, Cech admits that his side’s clash against the Reds was a good experience for Calum Chambers and debutant Rob Holding.

‘I thought they did really well,’ the goalkeeper said.

‘When you concede four goals then obviously you cannot be happy as a team because you should not concede four goals at home, but I thought it was a really good experience for them.’

Arsenal will be hoping to redeem themselves when they take on Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off has been set for 18:30.