Ian Doyle with the main talking point from Liverpool’s Premier League clash at Arsenal on Thursday evening
Two years ago, Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard infamously celebrated home victory over Liverpool by snaffling a photographer’s camera and capturing the moment. And while Virgil van Dijk resisted the urge to echo the Norwegian’s flashbulb raid after the final whistle here, this Reds performance should be used as a snapshot of what is still possible for Arne Slot’s side this season.
It won’t make any difference to a title defence that has long been abandoned, but this was a reminder to the Gunners, the rest of the Premier League and, perhaps most importantly, their own selves that there is a reason Liverpool were comprehensive champions last term.
And having been denied deserved victory only by the width of the crossbar from Conor Bradley’s audacious first-half lob, the Reds, as well as extending their unbeaten run to 10 games, have a solid foundation on which to build for the remainder of the season.
Certainly, none of their future assignments will, at least on paper, be as difficult as taking on the runaway leaders on their own turf.
After admitting he couldn’t completely disagree with suggestions Liverpool had become a bit dull and boring during the necessary resuscitation period after six league defeats in seven, this was never going to be evening for Slot to bring back a free-flowing Reds.
The absence again of Hugo Ekitike, to go with Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah, somewhat forced the hand of the Dutchman, who replicated the approach of two false nines used to winning effect last season in the League Cup at Brighton and, more notably, the title clash at Manchester City.
And after a difficult opening in horrible conditions brought by Storm Goretti, Liverpool showed both resolve to withstand the expected early Arsenal barrage and the composure and quality to dominate the second half.
Of course, the Reds have overall had little problem in taking on their peers this season, after already securing notable scalps against Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and, of course, Arsenal back in August. Breaking down packed defences is what has really hamstrung Liverpool.
But the confidence Slot and his players will surely take from this fine performance must not now be frittered away in careless fashion as happened too often during the first third of the campaign.
Liverpool have rediscovered what they can do. The task now is maintaining this standard.
