Following Liverpool’s disappointing 4-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven at Anfield in November, Steven Gerrard lamented that his former team was continually “bleeding”.
That match marked Liverpool’s ninth defeat in twelve games, yet they have since managed to halt their downward spiral, going unbeaten in their last ten encounters since that humbling by the Dutch side.
In a hard-fought draw against Arsenal on Thursday, Liverpool became the first visiting team to earn a Premier League point at the Emirates Stadium since Manchester City in September.
The closest either team came to scoring was Conor Bradley’s first-half shot that hit the crossbar, while Liverpool dominated possession in the second half with 66% of the ball.
However, lacking a recognized striker, they struggled to create clear chances. Had Hugo Ekitike been fit to play, the outcome might have been different, but Liverpool still had reasons to feel positive after this match.
After lackluster draws against Leeds and Fulham, which disappointed fans, the reigning champions showed improvements that Arne Slot can take heart from.
Midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch were solid, while Milos Kerkez had an impressive game defensively, effectively neutralizing the threat posed by Bukayo Saka.
Liverpool’s defense was solid, limiting Arsenal to no attempts at goal in the second half until stoppage time, meaning Mikel Arteta’s team has now failed to score against Liverpool in both encounters this season.
On Sky Sports, former Reds striker Daniel Sturridge praised Slot’s game plan, stating, “I think Arne Slot will be absolutely delighted with the performance of the players. They weathered the storm for the first 20 minutes, and afterward, their work rate was commendable. It was a very experienced performance that showcased why they are champions.”
“While they lacked a cutting edge in front of goal, there were positive moments—Jeremie Frimpong was a consistent threat but struggled with the final ball, and Florian Wirtz was impressive, finding spaces and playing cleanly. The defense was magnificent, stifling Arsenal’s attacks throughout the match, and both manager and players should be proud of their effort.”
While the immediate crisis may have been averted, Liverpool still silently grapples with deeper issues. For the first time since March 2010 against Wigan Athletic, they failed to register a shot on target in a Premier League match.
This marked their 600th match since that occurrence.
Statistics reveal a troubling narrative, as Liverpool averages just 1.5 goals per Premier League game this season, down from 2.3 last season and 2.3 in 2023-24 under Jurgen Klopp. Their expected goals per game have similarly dropped from 2.4 in Klopp’s final season to 2.2 in Slot’s debut season, and now stand at 1.5.
This decline reflects both the quality and quantity of chances created, with shots taken per game decreasing from 20.8 to 17.1, and then further to 14.7. The number of shots on target has also seen a decline: from 7.3 per game in 2023-24 to 6.1 in 2024-25, and further down to four this season.
Beyond the numbers, the visuals present a clear picture. Slot acknowledges that his side struggles against teams that employ compact defensive setups. “I’ve mentioned it numerous times—against certain styles, we can excel, but against others, we find it challenging,” Slot remarked on Sky Sports.
“You might notice that while people appreciate our ball retention, we still faced difficulties creating opportunities against Arsenal’s low block, which is something we need to improve upon. This is a significant reason for our point deficit against top teams.”
Last season, Liverpool engaged Arsenal in a thrilling 2-2 draw, highlighted by Mohamed Salah’s late equalizer following a brilliant through ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold to Darwin Nunez. However, none from that trio were present on Thursday—Salah is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Nunez and Alexander-Arnold left in the summer.
Deprived of Salah, Alexander Isak, or Ekitike, Liverpool faced an uphill battle against the league’s stingiest defense.
While they maintained excellent shape, their second-half dominance was muted by the fact that goalkeeper David Raya was rarely tested, reflecting their ongoing struggles in the attacking third.
This season was meant to be a resurgence for Liverpool following an investment of over £400 million in the summer. Although the title seems out of reach and making the top four or five is the new objective, there remains potential to salvage a commendable season.
Liverpool is still competing in the Champions League and has an upcoming FA Cup third-round tie against Barnsley. At the very least, their unbeaten streak has provided some stability, and this match demonstrated their ability to compete with the league’s best, though it was a reminder of the substantial journey still ahead.
Dominik Szoboszlai remarked, “We faced an incredible team. This match marked a step forward from recent performances, and once again, we demonstrated that we can compete against a top-table team. We must carry this momentum into the upcoming weeks.”