Liverpool have ended their recent run of defeats but continue to show worrying signs in attack, following Thursday’s goalless Premier League draw at the Emirates Stadium against league leaders Arsenal.

The Reds have now gone 10 games unbeaten since their 4-1 humiliation by PSV Eindhoven at Anfield in November, a result that left Steven Gerrard remarking his team “just kept on bleeding.” Thursday’s stalemate was a positive defensive showing, but the lack of a recognised striker left Liverpool without a clear cutting edge.

Strong Defensive Performance at Emirates

Liverpool were solid defensively, absorbing early Arsenal pressure and controlling possession in the second half with 66% ball control. Conor Bradley’s first-half effort hitting the crossbar was the closest either side came to scoring, while Milos Kerkez excelled in neutralising Bukayo Saka. Defensively, Liverpool prevented Arsenal from registering a shot in the second half until stoppage time.

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge praised the performance, saying on Sky Sports:

“They weathered the storm for the first 20 minutes, then showed their experience and tenacity. The defence was magnificent, and while they lacked a striker’s cutting edge, there were very positive moments across the pitch.”

Lack of Firepower Up Front Remains a Concern

The absence of Mohamed Salah, who is at the Africa Cup of Nations, along with Darwin Nunez and Trent Alexander-Arnold, highlighted Liverpool’s attacking struggles. Without a focal point in the final third, the Reds could not test Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, leaving them without a shot on target—a first in a Premier League game since March 2010.

Statistical trends underline the issue: Liverpool are averaging 1.5 goals per game this season, down from 2.3 in both 2023-24 and 2024-25. Expected goals (xG) have also dropped from 2.2 to 1.5, while shots per game have declined from 20.8 to 14.7, and shots on target from 7.3 to 4.

Manager Arne Slot admitted his side struggles against low-block defences, adding:

“Against certain playing styles, we’re very good, and against others, like Arsenal’s low block, we struggle. Creating chances is something we need to improve.”

Stabilisation but Title Hopes Fade

Despite the goalless draw, the result marked a step forward for Liverpool, stabilising a team that had been vulnerable in recent weeks. After over £400m spent in the summer, Liverpool’s title challenge looks unlikely, but Slot is aiming for a top-four or top-five finish.

With the Champions League still on the horizon and an FA Cup third-round tie against Barnsley upcoming, Liverpool’s unbeaten run provides a platform to build upon. Dominik Szoboszlai emphasised the positives:

“We faced an unbelievable team and showed we can compete with the best. This was a step forward, and we need to take it into the next weeks.”

While Liverpool’s defence has improved, the performance exposed ongoing attacking deficiencies, reinforcing the challenge Slot faces in replacing the firepower lost with Salah, Nunez, and Alexander-Arnold.