Our Liverpool fans' jury are back to have their say on Thursday's 0-0 draw at Premier League leaders Arsenal and more
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 8: Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool with Dominik Szoboszlai after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 8, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Arne Slot with Dominik Szoboszlai after the Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool at Emirates Stadium on January 8, 2026
View Image
Well, that was much more like it, wasn't it? While they had to settle for a 0-0 draw, Liverpool's performance in Thursday's stalemate with leaders Arsenal at the Emirates was a timely reminder of who the defending Premier League champions are.
Yes, retaining their title remains effectively out of their reach, but the Reds, now unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions, have given themselves a platform to build on in a second season half of a season that offers two chances of silverware plus an all-important top-four finish.
Liverpool begin the quest for the first of those trophies on Monday when they welcome Barnsley to Anfield for an FA Cup third-round tie. And ahead of that match, our Reds fans' jury have returned to have their say.
James Noble
Two draws in the capital over the last week have, cumulatively, and particularly via the respective second-half displays, offered further evidence of steady progress and of a path forward for Liverpool.
They’ve brought differing emotions – Sunday’s 2-2 at Fulham, following Harrison Reed’s late howitzer for the Cottagers, was somewhat stinging, while Thursday’s 0-0 at leaders Arsenal was broadly satisfying – yet, again, signs of headway and the need for improvement in areas pervaded each encounter in differing ways.
Goals for Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo bookmarking a good response to going behind were among last weekend’s most notable upsides. Particularly given Hugo Ekitike's absence, there was plenty to take from the point at the Emirates: Milos Kerkez's mettle at left-back, the midfield’s battling and controlling qualities, and Jeremie Frimpong’s pertinent threat, to name a few. Let’s hope Conor Bradleys injury isn’t as bad as it looked.
Monday’s visit of Barnsley in the FA Cup third round may represent a chance to rotate but will, once more, require diligence as we look for our first win of 2026. It is also a reminder of how much there is still to fight for this season. Securing a Champions League spot for 2026/27, going deep in this term’s competition, and pursuing a domestic cup represent exciting routes to continue that aforementioned progress.
Rhys Buchanan
You can take so much heart from that well-battled point at the Emirates in the midweek. It's one of those matches you can perhaps file next to Real Madrid, Inter Milan and even the reverse fixture at Anfield to show that we can still summon the spirit of Champions when needed.
In a season where there have been few green shoots, I think most Reds should be happy to revel in a point and disregard some of the negatives like Connor Bradley's ominous injury and our lack of firepower for now. To echo Dominik Szoboszlai, that point should be a great launchpad for us moving forward.
The Hungarian once again epitomised everything great about Liverpool's performance. There was a dogged-determination on show, which will have many rightly touting him as a future captain of the club.
Looking ahead, we have two eminently winnable fixtures on the horizon now with Barnsley then Burnley and, having continued our undefeated run, it feels like we might really have turned a corner.
Andrew Cullen
Thursday’s clash against Arsenal provided an opportunity to test ourselves against the top performing team this year. With a depleted frontline, and a panicky backline, my confidence was low and my nerves high.
In isolation, it was a solid away performance against the top team in the league. Arsenal’s performance was underwhelming, but much of this was down to the way that Liverpool stifled their play. Being able to prepare a well thought out away game plan, and being able to execute it with a well fought performance, should give us some confidence for potential big European ties on the horizon.
Much of Liverpool’s recent success has been down to the pace and ferocity in attack. The triumvirate of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino is the best example of this. Jerermie Frimpong’s introduction into the team has given us a taste of the flavour of the Jurgen Klopp Liverpool. Frimpong was ably assisted on the right side by a competent, marauding display from Conor Bradley.
Dominik Szoboszlai underlined the point before the Arsenal game that Liverpool are the current champions. The game against Arsenal made it clear that there isn’t a gulf between the teams; it’s our underperformance this year that has led to our drop in standards, rather than any drop in talent.
With Chelsea and Manchester United back in flux, we now have a real opportunity to cement our claim for a top-four finish.