Liverpool’s transformation under Arne Slot continues to gather momentum. A hard-fought goalless draw against Premier League leaders Arsenal on Thursday marked the latest step in a 10-game unbeaten run across all competitions. Once reeling from nine defeats in 12 matches—including a humiliating 4-1 home loss to PSV Eindhoven in November—the Reds have rediscovered resilience. Yet the performance at the Emirates also exposed familiar flaws: a lack of cutting edge that threatens to undermine their ambitions.
Stemming the Tide: A Remarkable Turnaround
Slot’s arrival brought initial turbulence, but recent weeks have delivered stability. The Arsenal result made Liverpool the first away side to earn a point at the Emirates since Manchester City’s visit in September. More impressively, they restricted Mikel Arteta’s attack—statistically the league’s best—to virtually nothing after half-time.
Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge praised the maturity: “Arne Slot will be absolutely delighted. They weathered the early storm, showed tenacity, and performed like champions. The defence was magnificent.”
Standout contributions came from midfield duo Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, who dictated tempo, and left-back Milos Kerkez, who neutralised Bukayo Saka effectively. Dominik Szoboszlai echoed team pride: “We showed again why we became champions last season. This was a step forward.”
The Missing Cutting Edge
Dominance told only half the story. Liverpool’s second-half control yielded 66% possession but no shots on target—the first such Premier League occurrence since a 2010 draw with Wigan Athletic, ending a run of 600 consecutive games with at least one.
Without injured striker Hugo Ekitike or departed stars like Mohamed Salah (at Africa Cup of Nations), Darwin Nunez, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, attacks lacked focal point and precision. Jeremie Frimpong threatened down the right, while Florian Wirtz found pockets cleverly, but final passes and finishes eluded them.
Slot acknowledged the issue candidly: “Against certain playing styles we struggle to create chances. That’s one reason we’re so many points behind Arsenal.”
Declining Attacking Metrics
Statistics underline the concern:
| Metric | 2023-24 (Klopp) | 2024-25 (Slot early) | 2025-26 (Current) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goals per Game | 2.3 | 2.3 | 1.5 |
| Expected Goals (xG) per Game | 2.4 | 2.2 | 1.5 |
| Total Shots per Game | 20.8 | 17.1 | 14.7 |
| Shots on Target per Game | 7.3 | 6.1 | 4.0 |
The drop reflects reduced chance quality and quantity, particularly against low blocks—a recurring Slot admission.
Positives and Remaining Opportunities
Conor Bradley’s crossbar strike represented Liverpool’s closest effort, while the overall display—tenacious and structured—drew praise. Sturridge highlighted multiple bright moments despite the bluntness.
The unbeaten streak has halted the “bleeding” Steven Gerrard referenced post-PSV. Liverpool remain in the Champions League and face Barnsley in Monday’s FA Cup third round.
Slot’s realistic target—top-four or five—reflects pragmatism, especially after heavy summer investment exceeding £400m. This performance proved they can compete with elite sides defensively, but unlocking consistent attacking threat is crucial.
Looking Ahead
The Arsenal draw blends encouragement with caution. Liverpool have rediscovered solidity and spirit, stopping the rot that threatened their season. Yet without sharper finishing and greater creativity against packed defences, progress may stall.
Slot’s methodical approach has stabilised the ship. Upcoming fixtures—including the FA Cup and European commitments—offer chances to build momentum. If attacking issues persist, however, the gap to leaders like Arsenal could prove insurmountable.
For now, Liverpool fans can take pride in resilience. The cutting edge that defined past successes must return to transform solid draws into defining victories.
