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Arsenal 0 – 0 Liverpool – Premier League Postmortem

By Steven Smith

After a week that saw two high-profile managers relieved of their Premier League duties, Arne Slot would have arrived at the Emirates with the sense that scrutiny is never far away. A visit to table-topping Arsenal is rarely forgiving, yet the context added extra edge. Mikel Arteta’s side knew a statement win would tighten their grip on the title race, especially with Manchester City stumbling elsewhere. Liverpool, by contrast, arrived as champions playing more for credibility than momentum, still searching for an identity that convinces rather than merely survives.

Photo: IMAGO

The Starting Eleven

Liverpool XI

• GK – Alisson Becker

• RB – Conor Bradley

• CB – Ibrahima Konaté

• CB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

• LB – Milos Kerkez

• RW – Jeremie Frimpong

• CM – Ryan Gravenberch

• ACM – Dominik Szoboszlai

• CM – Alexis Mac Allister

• LW – Cody Gakpo

• CF – Florian Wirtz

Substitutes

Joe Gomez → Conor Bradley (90+5’)

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Goals

None

Match Statistics

• Possession – Arsenal 48% | Liverpool 52%

• XG – Arsenal 0.57 | Liverpool 0.36

• Total Shots – Arsenal 9 | Liverpool 8

• Fouls – Arsenal 10 | Liverpool 9

• Corners – Arsenal 3 | Liverpool 0

• Saves – Arsenal 0 | Liverpool 4

First Half

An anxious Emirates crowd watched a game unfold that never quite aligned with pre-match expectations. Liverpool, often accused of caution bordering on timidity this season, played with surprising composure. The structure was clear, the spacing disciplined, and for long spells Arsenal looked more reactive than authoritative.

Conor Bradley and Milos Kerkez defended with maturity, while Frimpong offered a genuine outlet on the right. Liverpool didn’t flood the final third, but they controlled territory well enough to disrupt Arsenal’s rhythm. Wirtz, operating as a central reference point rather than a traditional striker, drifted intelligently and repeatedly drew defenders out of shape.

Arsenal had possession without incision. Liverpool had fewer moments, but theirs felt more purposeful. It wasn’t thrilling, but it was controlled — something that has too often been missing under Slot.

Second Half

The restart brought a more cautious tone from both sides, as if neither manager wanted to be the one who blinked. Arsenal pushed higher, but Liverpool responded intelligently rather than nervously. Van Dijk marshalled the back line superbly, Konaté dominated duels, and Alisson’s calm distribution helped defuse pressure before it escalated.

Wirtz remained Liverpool’s most inventive presence, gliding between lines and demanding the ball under pressure. There was a strong case for a penalty when he was crowded out in the box, but such moments rarely favour visiting sides at the Emirates. Dominik Szoboszlai and Mac Allister worked tirelessly to close spaces, turning the match into a tactical stalemate rather than an emotional shootout.

The late injury to Bradley was the only real sour note, forcing a stoppage-time reshuffle that Liverpool managed without fuss.

Final Thoughts

Liverpool’s season is still defined by uncertainty, but this was one of the most coherent performances of the campaign. Away to the league leaders, under pressure, with little margin for error, Slot’s side looked organised, disciplined, and competitive.

Was it spectacular? No. Was it brave? In its own understated way, yes. Arsenal were denied momentum, the title charge slowed, and Liverpool walked away with credibility restored — if only temporarily.

This point doesn’t transform the narrative, but it does complicate it. If Liverpool can marry this level of control with greater attacking ruthlessness, there may yet be substance beneath the survival tactics. If not, this will simply be remembered as another well-managed draw in a season still searching for conviction.

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Arsenal 2 – 1 Liverpool

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