Liverpool held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw on Thursday, but it’s not the positive some seem to view it as.
Arne Slot has, after a run of nine defeats in 12 late last year, now gone on a 10-game unbeaten run.
However, while no defeat since November should, on paper, be a good thing, Liverpool are still well, well off the pace of the teams they should be challenging for the Premier League title.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
The draw with Arsenal has caused some to come out in support of Slot’s team, but it’s hard to see why.
Who was your Man of the Match during Liverpool’s battling draw with Arsenal?
Much better from the Reds today!
Milos Kerkez battles with Bukayo Saka during Liverpool's Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
What people are saying about Liverpool after Arsenal
Speaking live on Sky Sports after the match, former Liverpool player Daniel Sturridge expressed his view that Slot should be delighted.
He said: “I think Arne Slot will be absolutely delighted with the performance of the players. Got to give him credit for his game plan.”
Alexis Mac Allister and Arne Slot after Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Speaking alongside the ex-striker, Roy Keane said that ‘Liverpool were by far the better team.’
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai said in his post-match interview that ‘we [Liverpool] showed again why we became champions last season.’
What would you say to Gabriel Martinelli if you had the chance TONIGHT? 😡
DISGUSTING behaviour
Gabriel Martinelli appeals while Liverpool's Conor Bradley sits injured during the Premier League match between the two teams at the Emirates Stadium.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Is this really how far Liverpool, who were lifting the Premier League title last year, have now fallen?
Yes, they’ve just gone to the Emirates and got a point against a team who will probably be champions come May.
But are we forgetting that the Reds, under Klopp and Slot (for one season), have been one of the most dominant teams in the Premier League for nearly a decade now?
Liverpool did not go toe-to-toe with the Gunners; they went to North London with the direct purpose of taking a point back to Anfield.
This was clear, firstly in how Slot set up his side, having his wingers drop back to cover at centre-back.
And secondly, by the fact that Liverpool failed to attempt a shot on target in this game, the first time that has happened in the Premier League since they faced Wigan Athletic on March 8, 2010.
An embarrassing statistic for the manager, who has not stopped banging on about PSG and how he wants every game to be like their Champions League meetings last season.
This wasn’t two top-level Premier League teams in a gruelling battle for the title. Instead, it felt like a newly-promoted side going away to a big club to try and eke out a draw, which they did.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox