Moments you may not have spotted during Liverpool's Premier League clash with Arsenal on Thursday evening
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 8: Declan Rice of Arsenal argues with his opponents during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 8, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Declan Rice loses his composure during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 8, 2026
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(Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Liverpool issued a reminder of their status as current Premier League champions with a richly-deserved goalless draw at runaway leaders Arsenal on Thursday evening. Conor Bradley came closest to scoring when striking the crossbar in the first half before being forced off with what appeared a serious knee injury at the end of a second half in which Arne Slot's side dominated.
The result means the Reds have now taken four points from six against the Gunners this season and have extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 10 games.
But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at the Emirates...
Boiled Rice
Arsenal have acquired a reputation in recent years of being a somewhat tetchy side quite happy to push certain matters to the limit. And that was evident during a tense encounter that occasionally boiled over with the Londoners frustrated at being outshone by the visitors.
One first-half incident saw Arsenal play on for several phases of attack despite Jeremie Frimpong laying prone in the home penalty area with a foot injury.
While Liverpool players were unimpressed when the ball eventually went out of play, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice sought an argument with Virgil van Dijk. It didn't take long for the Reds skipper to put the England man in his place. You tell 'em, Virg.
Heartfelt message
A far more wholesome incident emerged after the game when Van Dijk posted a letter on social media he received from Liverpool's mascot for the evening.
"I know you and the team are going through a tough time at the moment but I want you to know you are such an inspiration to me and so many others as a player, a leader and a human," it read.
"You will figure this out like always before. We are a team, we are friends and most importantly we are a family." Well said.
Only one Jan
Never mind the players on the pitch on Thursday. The roll call of former pros in the press room before the match was similarly strong.
In the Arsenal corner were Ian Wright, Freddie Ljungberg, Emmanuel Petit and Robert Pires, while scrapping for the Reds were Michael Owen, Jan Molby, Nigel Spackman, Danny Murphy and Florent Sinama-Pongolle, with Peter Schmeichel, Jan Aage Fjortoft and Andy Townsend also in attendance.
That would make a strong line-up., albeit one with an admittedly somewhat adventurous 0-6-4 formation and Fjortoft on the bench. He won't mind.
Plastic not so fantastic
Even before Arsenal's title challenges of recent years, the atmosphere at the Emirates has improved considerably compared to when it first opened. The Gunners, though, are guilty of forcing things a bit.
That was seen before the game with a light show that while welcome in some parts - the fire-throwing boxes certainly warmed everyone up for a bit - still isn't a patch on standard-bearers Wolves.
And then there was the pre-match, mosaic, which was actually made up of fans holding up club-branded plastic bags coloured either red or white. Maybe Arsenal just wanted them all to pop off the club shop afterwards for a spending spree.