Liverpool took a well-deserved point home from their game against Arsenal on Thursday as they frustrated the Premier League leaders.
Many had expected a comfortable win for Mikel Arteta’s side given the disparity in the two teams’ level this season.
But despite being depleted by injury, Liverpool showed up in a big way to hold firm.
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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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Although victory would have been the ultimate sign of a corner being turned, Liverpool could at least point to a better display and a clean sheet against the likely Premier League winners.
There were plenty of good individual displays too, and according to former Reds striker Daniel Sturridge, head coach Arne Slot deserves the credit for setting his team up well.
Arne Slot takes credit for excellent defensive display
Rewind just a few weeks to Mohamed Salah’s outburst after the draw away at Leeds United, and there were plenty of claims that Slot had ‘lost the dressing room’ at Liverpool.
Performances since would heavily refute that claim, and speaking on Sky Sports after Thursday’s result, Sturridge suggested that the Dutchman’s players had carried his instructions out to a tee against Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta applauds fans while surrounded by Liverpool players after Arsenal's Premier League game against Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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“I think Arne Slot will be absolutely delighted with the performance of the players. Got to give him credit for his game plan,” said the pundit.
“They weathered the storm in the first 20 minutes. After that, their work rate, how tenacious they were, it was a very experienced performance and they showed why they are champions. They lacked the cutting edge up front, but had very positive moments. Frimpong was a threat all night, Wirtz was very good, picked up a load of pockets and was very clean tonight. The list goes on.”
Sturridge reserved special praise for the Liverpool defence, hailing the Reds’ back four as ‘magnificent’ in the way they diligently went about their work.
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
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“The defence was magnificent,” he said. “They stopped attacks all night and I think the manager and players should be very proud of themselves. They performed exceptionally tonight.”
Liverpool players not giving up on Slot
If Slot truly had lost the support of the Liverpool players, there is little chance they would have turned up and dug in quite so hard against Arsenal.
With just about everybody predicting a Gunners’ win, no eyebrows would have been raised had the Reds turned up and been soundly beaten.
Nevertheless, Liverpool finally showed some pride in their performance, and while Slot does deserve credit for getting his tactics right, that is down to the players.
What it illustrated is that this is a team who are still very much playing for their head coach, and one which could potentially challenge for honours this season.
There is still a way to go before declaring that Liverpool are past their terrible start to the season. But against Arsenal they showed that if they can get it right, there can still be something there for them. Players and manager finally feel to be on the same page, hopefully this can be a turning point.
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