Strong Defensive Display Earns Valuable Point Away
Liverpool have finally put an end to their earlier struggles. After Steven Gerrard described the team as constantly “bleeding” following the heavy November loss to PSV at Anfield, the side has turned things around dramatically. They are now unbeaten in ten matches since that embarrassing defeat.
On Thursday, Arne Slot’s team produced a disciplined performance and held league leaders Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates. This made Liverpool the first visiting side to take a Premier League point from that stadium since Manchester City back in September. Conor Bradley came closest to scoring when his first-half strike hit the crossbar. After the break, Liverpool dominated possession with 66% and limited Arsenal to almost no chances until stoppage time.
Missing Cutting Edge Remains the Biggest Concern
Even though the defensive structure was impressive and midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch controlled the game, the absence of a proper focal point up front was clear. Without Mohamed Salah (currently at the Africa Cup of Nations) and with Darwin Nunez and Trent Alexander-Arnold having left in the summer, the attack lacked penetration.
For the first time since March 2010, Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target in a Premier League match. The numbers tell a worrying story: average goals per game have dropped from 2.3 last season to 1.5 this campaign. Expected goals (xG) have fallen from 2.4 under Klopp’s final year to 1.5 now. Shots per game are down from 20.8 to 14.7, and shots on target have plummeted to just 4 per match on average. Arne Slot has openly admitted that his team finds it difficult to break down well-organised low blocks.
Positives to Build On Despite the Challenges Ahead
Despite the lack of goals, there were plenty of encouraging signs. Milos Kerkez delivered one of his best performances for the club while handling Bukayo Saka effectively. The backline was outstanding, and Daniel Sturridge praised the tactical plan, work rate, and maturity shown by the defending champions.
This result marks real progress after recent uninspiring draws. Liverpool proved they can stand toe-to-toe with the very best teams when everything clicks. With continued progress in the Champions League and an upcoming FA Cup tie against Barnsley, the season still holds promise.
As Dominik Szoboszlai said after the match: “We showed once again that we can compete with a top team. This is a step forward, and we must carry this confidence into the coming weeks.”
