Liverpool were much improved in their 0-0 draw at Arsenal, with those in the media impressed as they outplayed the Gunners in the second half on their own turf.
The Premier League champions battled hard at the Emirates, bossing the second half and making it 10 games unbeaten.
Here’s how the media assessed Liverpool’s well-earned point on Thursday evening.
Liverpool stood tall when many expected them to lose
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool and Arsenal players have an argument over whether referee Anthony Taylor should have blown the whistle for Jeremie Frimpong during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
On X, the Athletic’s James Pearce liked what he saw from the Reds:
“Impressive point for Arne Slot‘s side at the Emirates.
“Gutsy performance in the circumstances. Contained the leaders in the first half and then dominated the second half. Frimpong excellent.”
David Lynch felt this was a much-improved performance from Liverpool:
“There have been a few draws in this now-10-game unbeaten run that have felt disappointing, but this definitely wasn’t one of them.
“A committed, intelligent performance from Liverpool, and they earn a fully deserved point as a result.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot (R) and Alexis Mac Allister after the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Reporter Lewis Steele was particularly impressed because of the attackers missing for the visitors:
“Until the 91st minute, Arsenal had zero shots in the second half, had 0.0xG and had zero set-pieces.
“That is the story: for Liverpool to rock up at the league leaders (didn’t play like it) and do that is excellent.
“Had they not been missing key attackers, LFC would’ve won.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's players form a pre-match huddle before the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Ed Aarons of the Guardian said this was a night that will have pleased Slot greatly:
“Point proven? Well, not exactly. Just when Arsenal looked ready to lay down a real marker for their title aspirations, a rejuvenated Liverpool side that has been through the wringer since they were crowned champions last season proved the Gunners are still far from the finished article.
“It could have been even worse for Mikel Arteta’s side if Liverpool had been awarded one of two potential penalties or if Conor Bradley’s brilliant chip had not struck the crossbar in the first half.
“Arne Slot will be delighted with the way his much-maligned defence coped with Arsenal’s threat before the break.”
BBC Sport‘s Alex Howell saw it as another step in the right direction for Liverpool:
“Liverpool are still not at their best, but they are finding a way to put together an unbeaten run.
“The title may no longer be a realistic target this season, but results like this could still see them influence who lifts the trophy.”
Liverpool “controlled the game” against Arsenal
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Harry Bamforth of the Mail was enamoured with the manner in which Liverpool dictated the game:
“If I were a Liverpool fan, I’d be very happy with the team tonight.
“They dug in deep while Arsenal were on top in the first half, and then turned things around in the second and took the game to them.
“I wouldn’t say they were brilliant in the second half because they didn’t exactly threaten to score; however, they controlled the game against the runaway league leaders.”
On Sky Sports, even Man United legend Gary Neville was complimentary about Liverpool’s approach:
“Brilliant what Liverpool did in the second half.
“It’s very difficult to actually turn the performance around when you’re so defensively minded, like they were, to go and then flip it into a dominating possession-based performance in the second half.
“That was the big surprise. I think that shocked Arsenal.”
LONDON, ENGLAND - Thursday, January 8, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Finally, the *Telegraph*‘s Sam Wallace said Slot tactically outsmarted Mikel Arteta:
“It was there in the stands at the Emirates as Mikel Arteta’s players struggled to break down a very cussed Liverpool team that was missing many key players and assumed the role of underdog with some relish.
“The Premier League champions are not in the title race this time and this was their third straight draw, but they happily played for it.
“Arne Slot’s plan worked well.”