Liverpool returned to Premier League action on Thursday evening with a meeting against the current league leaders, Arsenal.
It was expected to be another tough night for Arne Slot, who is under pressure from fans amid a run of dire performances.
Liverpool remain inside the Champions League places, but that is largely down to teams around them falling off, rather than any tangible improvement from the manager.
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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
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To make matters worse, Hugo Ekitike was once again unable to start after picking up a minor knock pre-Fulham, leaving the Reds short of attacking firepower.
Liverpool began the tie sitting very deep with Cody Gakpo dropping into the backline whenever Arsenal had the ball.
It was a tactic, while once again not entertaining in any way, that prevented Arsenal from causing too many problems.
The Reds had a bit more of the ball in the second half, but they never really looked like creating an awful lot either, settling for a drab 0-0 draw.
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In the end, Slot probably did just enough to justify his system and keep the Liverpool hierarchy off his back as he continues to scrape by until the end of the season.
FSG are happy to write the season off
Just looking at that matchday squad, it is so clear something needs to happen in January.
However, the latest news is that Liverpool will have a quiet window, and two of their targets are potentially moving elsewhere.
David Ornstein has confirmed that Marc Guehi is wanted in the summer, but Manchester City are eyeing up the centre-back as well as Antoine Semenyo.
There are no signs of an attacker heading to Merseyside either. It shows a lack of desire from the owners to turn this season around, with it evident that they are more than happy to sit on their hands and just see what happens.
Jurrien Timber of Arsenal battles for possession with Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz of Liverpool during a Premier League match
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Federico Chiesa on his way out
Reports in the last week have linked Federico Chiesa with a return to Juventus in January.
It has been suggested that the Italian will leave once Mohamed Salah is back from AFCON and confirms he is staying for the rest of 2025/26.
Chiesa is a pacey, useful option to have, but with Slot starting a defender in his position for the second time in a matter of weeks, it looks as though the writing is on the wall for him at Liverpool.
It’s a real shame as another manager may well have got more out of him, but with Slot unlikely to be leaving this month, the 28-year-old’s fate seems sealed.
Liverpool have another area of concern
Curtis Jones was dropped after a downturn in form from the Englishman in the last couple of weeks.
It saw Alexis Mac Allister return to the base of the midfield alongside Ryan Gravenberch.
However, outside of Jones, who was on the bench, Liverpool lack any sort of depth in midfield.
They have managed to avoid major injury concerns in that department for the time being, but if one of the trio pick up a serious issue between now and May, it could be a back problem unless a new addition is brought in this month.
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