Liverpool’s goalless draw at Arsenal will not do their confidence any harm, though the game was there for the taking for a Reds side without three key attackers.
Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool
Premier League (21) | Emirates
January 8, 2026
1. Liverpool can take heart from goalless draw
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker touches the badge after the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The unbeaten run extended to 10 games at the Emirates Stadium has featured plenty of draws, but there is no question that this was the most encouraging of the lot.
Travelling to the home of the current best side in the country, Liverpool showed plenty of the qualities that ensured they officially hold that title for now.
Clearly, Arsenal were not cut apart, but neither could they do that to the Reds, and in fact spent the majority of the second half forced into defending.
That feels like a huge step forward from where this team was, and is perhaps proof that Arne Slot‘s decision to go safety first of late has offered a route to more over the coming weeks.
A point away to the league leaders and earned in this fashion certainly won’t do any harm to confidence.
2. Arne Slot unfortunate with forward options
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: (L-R) Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot and Florian Wirtz exchange words after the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Of course, it is far to point out that, for all the praise this performance deserved, Liverpool failed to get any of their eight shots on target and generated just 0.36xG.
However, unlike in previous games against lesser lights, you are more willing to excuse that given the forward options available.
No Mohamed Salah, no Hugo Ekitike, no Alexander Isak – those absences are always going to tell when you are playing in the toughest of games.
And despite not testing David Raya, the Reds still created plenty of moments where they were one good final ball away from opening the scoring.
With better forwards available, or perhaps a sharpened Jeremie Frimpong, this could easily have been a win.
3. Ryan Gravenberch shows his best self
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: (L-R) Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch and Arsenal's captain Martin Ødegaard during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Key to Liverpool’s control, particularly in the second half, was a midfield that matched one the league’s best in Arsenal‘s.
And there is a strong argument that Ryan Gravenberch was the best from either side as he put in a masterclass in the centre of the park.
The Dutchman won six of his nine duels, wasn’t dribbled past once, and posted three recoveries to help keep Liverpool solid.
But he also matched that with some wonderful close control that evaded the hosts’ press over and over to get his team up the pitch.
4. Milos Kerkez silences doubters again
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez (R) is challenged by Arsenal's Bukayo Saka during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Those who took a quick look at social media at half-time could be forgiven for thinking that Bukayo Saka had torn Milos Kerkez to shreds in the opening 45 minutes.
But the reality is, the Englishman beat Liverpool’s left-back once, and that was the only moment in the entire game that any Arsenal player managed to do it.
There seems to be a bizarre desperation to declare Kerkez a poor signing that stretches as far as suggesting he is playing poorly even when the opposite was true.
That was clearly the case today, despite the Hungarian ending the game having won six of his nine duels and four of the four tackles he attempted.
5. Gabriel Martinelli deserves a ban for Conor Bradley shove
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: (L-R) Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister and Arsenal's Gabriel Martinelli during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Unfortunately for Liverpool, the game ended on a disappointing note when Conor Bradley was forced off on a stretcher with an apparent knee injury.
And the mood of Reds watching on was further soured by the antics of Gabriel Martinelli during that moment.
The Brazilian’s decision to push a clearly stricken Bradley was an utter disgrace, and you can only hope he feels regret after seeing how his fellow professional ultimately left the pitch.
It would also be welcome to see some action from the FA after such a poor show of sportsmanship, particularly as the referee wrongly felt that a yellow card would suffice.