The verdict as Liverpool ground out a goalless draw against Arsenal at the Emirates with an impressive display
The chant that came from the away end as the final whistle signalled a goalless draw at the Emirates was one of defiance. The Liverpool supporters, tucked away on the far side, reminded their Arsenal hosts just who it is who are still, for now at least, the champions of England.
And while that is a boast that they only be able to bellow out for the next handful of months, this was finally – belatedly – a performance befitting of their status.
It was not free flowing and it wasn’t particularly pretty during large parts, but it was dogged and determined at a time when backs are to the wall and chins are on the floor.
This, after all, is an Arsenal side who are unbeaten here and had no doubt started to dream about running away with a first title in 22 years after a third successive Manchester City draw of 2026 on Wednesday against Brighton.
In many ways, Arsenal are where Liverpool were a few years ago when they needed to take that final step from contenders to champions after going so long without a title. Liverpool, under Jurgen Klopp and then Arne Slot, were able to make that leap but the jury remains out on the Gunners as they let a golden opportunity pass them by here.
Mikel Arteta spoke about having a “point to prove” in his Wednesday press conference but it was Liverpool who did that. They are no busted flush, even if there are things that need to be ironed out and worked on in the coming weeks and months.
This 0-0 draw saw Arsenal fail to open up an eight-point advantage over City, instead taking them six clear at the summit with Liverpool restoring a big portion of pride as they made it 10 unbeaten themselves in all competitions.
As had been anticipated, the champions were content to sit in and soak up the pressure and it was a first half that largely played in their own half. The decision to select Florian Wirtz as a ‘false 9’ more than hinted at the lack of firepower available but also provided the side with an extra body in the midfield area and someone who was adept at looking after it when it came his way.
Liverpool’s best chance came when Conor Bradley was denied by the bar after William Saliba and goalkeeper David Raya almost contrived to score an own goal. The Reds defender’s clip goalwards, with Raya stranded, was so unlucky before the Gunners scrambled it clear.
That was about as close as the visitors came as they sat in, defended as a unit and kept Alisson Becker mostly unworked. Despite the relative comfort in the opening 45 minutes, though, Liverpool missed the presence of Hugo Ekitike and his ability to hold it up and run in behind. The jet-heeled Jeremie Frimpong became the ‘out ball’ and his claims for a penalty after turning his ankle inside the area were waved away before the break.
While not exactly the perfect circumstances for an under-fire Liverpool, playing a league-leading side who had been in supreme form at home afforded Slot’s men the opportunity to hand over the onus, and the demand to dominate the ball to their hosts.
And for a side who have been content largely to tighten up and grow into proceedings in recent weeks, those conditions suited them and Arteta’s side struggled to create any major chances as a result, with the Reds also competent at dealing with the hosts’ expertise from dead-balls.
Liverpool were the better side after the break and had the otherwise excellent Frimpoong been a bit more precise with his cut-back to Wirtz, they might even have handed Arteta’s men a first home defeat of the campaign.
The difference between the two clubs this season was undoubtedly highlighted by what both coaches did with their nine-man substitutes’ bench, however. While Arteta was able to call upon Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Myles Lewis-Skelly, Slot was forced into his only change in the final seconds after Bradley was forced off on a stretcher.
For some, that will cut little ice given the fortunes handed over in the summer transfer window at Anfield but Slot’s options are threadbare right now, especially up top, where they were without a recognised striker.
The injury to Bradley soured an otherwise good night for the Reds and the anxious wait now begins over what is feared to be a serious issue. Martinelli’s attempts to push the stricken Northern Ireland international off the pitch in the closing stages were classless and rightly attracted criticism on the television coverage.
For a side without Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah – two players who scored 52 Premier League between them last season – and 11-goal top scorer Ekitike, it was understandable that a side who have generally found it difficult to create much of late didn’t really do so here against a team who have shipped a league-low 14 goals.
But while Slot’s players will take ample credit from their all-round display here, it is not these marquee games where they have come up short this time out. Four points have been taken from Arsenal, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Inter have all been beaten in the Champions League and third-placed Aston Villa were swatted aside at Anfield at the beginning of November.
No, it is mainly the lesser-heralded fixtures, against sides who are content to cede the initiative and target their physical shortcomings, that have brought about the most trouble for Slot. Figuring out ways of breaking down sides who change their approach to attack their Achilles’ Heel remains the fundamental problem for the head coach to solve.
After all, this 10-game sequence has featured draws with Leeds United twice, Sunderland and Fulham. How much better might the overall picture look had even half of those been won?
Creating chances and dominating those sorts of contests will be key to ensuring Liverpool are in the draw for the Champions League in August. This, though, was a sizable stride in the right direction.
Draws are often defeats with better PR for Liverpool but this one was one to reflect positively on. Now to build on it. They are still champions after all.
