If Liverpool’s season is to improve as the reverse league fixtures begin, they may well look back on this performance at Arsenal as where it all began. Playing with discipline and authority, though lacking a potent forward threat, they were good value for a point in a 0-0 draw.
Under the cosh in an opening twenty minutes in which they struggled to get out of their own half, it was Liverpool who came closest to scoring. Conor Bradley, who was later stretchered off, hit the crossbar after a mix-up by Arsenal led to a chipped shot from the edge of the penalty box. Arsenal, though with the bulk of first-half possession, looked to have the greater threat—particularly through Saka and Trossard—yet they created very few clear-cut opportunities.
In a second half that Liverpool dominated with over 60% possession, Arsenal looked far from a team destined to be champions. With Arne Slot clearly instructing his players to push higher up the pitch and be more aggressive going forward, Jeremie Frimpong appeared most likely to create the breakthrough, if only his final ball had been better. Too often failing to pick the right pass or strike at goal himself, he ultimately frustrated. Instead, Man of the Match Dominik Szoboszlai was left to take potshots, including one free-kick that conjured up memories of his winner at Anfield against the Gunners. This time, having seen an earlier effort sail wide of the mark, his strike whistled just inches over the bar.
The home crowd would have expected more of their team in the second half, but in truth, they rarely threatened, with Alisson given very little to do. Kerkez, with perhaps his best performance in a Liverpool shirt, was superb along with Konate, Virgil, and Bradley in shackling a muted Arsenal forward line as the Gunners fired blanks.
Arne Slot was no doubt delighted with his side’s display in North London, but that will surely be tempered by what looked like a significant injury to Bradley. That aside, he’ll also hope the result and, more significantly, the performance are signs of things to come. Whether Liverpool can turn so many recent draws into wins, however, will be the acid test in the months ahead.
