Match reportLiverpool play out goalless draw with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium

The Reds produced a performance that combined quality with grit, and arguably deserved more than one point, on Thursday night.

Conor Bradley went closest to scoring for either side when the Liverpool full-back hit the crossbar in minute 27 and it was the visitors who looked most likely to win the game throughout the second half.

It would end goalless, but Arne Slot’s side’s unbeaten run now stands at 10 games in all competitions and they remain eight points behind Manchester City and Aston Villa, who sit joint-second, in the Premier League table.

Team

Slot made one change to the line-up that drew at Fulham last weekend, with Jeremie Frimpong starting in place of Curtis Jones.

Liverpool: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Bradley (Gomez, 90+5), Gakpo, Frimpong, Gravenberch.

Unused subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Ngumoha.

First half

As the rain pelted down and the wind blew hard, the opening stages of the game passed without major incident.

Arsenal threatened when Bukayo Saka got to the byline but his cut-back found Florian Wirtz and, from there, Liverpool enjoyed a positive spell midway through the half.

The visitors’ most promising moment so nearly resulted in the opening goal, too, when Bradley struck the woodwork.

Bradley’s attempted pass through to Frimpong was over-hit but a mix-up between David Raya and William Saliba presented him with a sight of goal, and the right-back was unfortunate to see his clipped effort come back off the bar.

Frimpong’s pace was proving a productive outlet for the Reds and the No.30 again broke in behind the home back line before going down in the area with Piero Hincapie nearby, but a penalty was not awarded.

And then, at the other end, a superb last-ditch tackle by Milos Kerkez thwarted Saka and ensured the first half ended goalless.

Second half

A fine first-half display provided a platform for Liverpool to build on after the restart – and they did just that by performing with fluency and confidence.

Wirtz weaved his way into a promising position in the area before being challenged by Leandro Trossard, with a VAR review subsequently confirming the referee’s decision of no penalty.

Slot’s team continued to offer the greater attacking threat and Frimpong’s speed was an asset Arsenal were struggling to deal with effectively.

Again, the Netherlands international sprung in behind the hosts’ defence after a terrific piece of play by Ryan Gravenberch, but this time his cut-back was played just behind his intended target Wirtz and the chance was gone.

Dominik Szoboszlai skewed a half-volley over after Frimpong had delivered a cross into the middle and the No.8 skimmed the roof of the net when attempting a repeat of his wondrous free-kick winner in the reverse fixture at Anfield.

Alisson Becker then made two comfortable saves in stoppage time, before Bradley was stretchered off due to an injury in a disappointing end to an otherwise positive evening.