What the Liverpool away end did at full-time spoke volumes about Arsenal draw

Can a point at a title rival be regarded a missed opportunity? It’s a question with which Arne Slot and his Liverpool side would surely have been grappling as they boarded the team coach deep within the bowels of the Emirates following an afternoon of mixed emotions for the visitors.

Ultimately, the overwhelming reaction will be positive after the Reds twice came from behind at a venue where, in the last two seasons, they have succumbed disappointingly in the Premier League.

That was certainly the mood in the away end after Mohamed Salah’s 81st-minute equaliser ensured Liverpool gained reward for their vastly-improved showing during the second half, Slot’s trademark post-match thumbs up after venturing towards the travelling Kop acknowledgement of satisfaction at the job done.

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But with Arsenal having ended the game without three of their first-choice back four, there will be some regret at not having created more to test the makeshift home rearguard during the closing stages.

Perspective, though, is required, not least after a tepid opening period in which the Reds posted arguably their worst 45 minutes of the Slot era, the desire for control coming across as a lack of intensity although, in fairness, it was no different to recent league visits under predecessor Jurgen Klopp.

And there can be no doubts over Liverpool’s resolve, twice coming back from behind and eventually growing into the game that, despite protestations from Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, didn’t belong to the home team.

While the draw played into the hands of Manchester City – the champions have leapfrogged the Reds to move a point clear at the summit – and ended Slot’s record-breaking run of six successive away wins at the start of a Liverpool season, it was a step in the right direction regards another good result on the road against their traditional rivals.

Four points from six at Old Trafford and the Emirates, as has already been achieved under the Reds boss, will always be deemed an acceptable return.

There had been misfires throughout the team during the first half in which Arsenal, while rarely approaching their best, merited their half-time advantage.

Liverpool’s midfield in particular was a cause for concern. While operating in slightly different roles this time around, the triumvirate of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones started at the Emirates for the second successive season and were largely bypassed in the first 45 minutes.

But even before a jaded Alexis Mac Allister was replaced by Dominik Szoboszlai shortly after the hour, Liverpool had started to win the arm wrestle in the engine room. They continue to learn as a collective.

This, however, was a tough afternoon for Andy Robertson, given the runaround at times by Bukayo Saka and culpable for the Arsenal winger scoring the opener. However, inside him Virgil van Dijk was again quietly impressive defensively to go along with his first-half leveller while Ibrahima Konate was Liverpool’s stellar performer at a venue where he had been miserably sent off during closing stages of the defeat in February.

Darwin Nunez, too, can be pleased with his contribution, delivering further evidence of understanding the demands required of a number nine under Slot. The work-rate and defensive effort the Uruguayan put in before the break when attacking service had been scant was the platform for a second-half display in which, with support from the midfield improving, he was integral to Salah’s leveller.

For all the pre-match bleating about being grossly understrength, there was ultimately little surprise when it emerged both Saka and Jurrien Timber had been passed fit for Arsenal, meaning the Gunners were without the same number of regular starters – two – as Liverpool.

And they struck first after only nine minutes with the latest addition to the growing litany of poor goals for Liverpool to concede at the Emirates.

All it took was a long punt forward by Ben White over the visiting defence to send Saka scuttling away beyond Robertson before cutting inside the left-back and thumping in beyond Caoimhin Kelleher from closer range than the goalkeeper should have permitted.

Liverpool were level on 18 minutes. Shortly after Salah almost capitalised on a Mikel Merino mistake by curling wide, a left-wing corner delivery from Trent Alexander-Arnold was flicked on by Luis Diaz at the near post and Van Dijk stretched to head home.

But it did little to raise the overall level of performance from the visitors even if Arsenal were largely limited to ambitious shots from range by Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

However, Liverpool’s inability to stop giving away soft fouls in good crossing positions led to the Arsenal second two minutes before the interval, Declan Rice curling in from a deep right position and Merino’s header deemed onside after a VAR check.

When an injured Gabriel joined the suspended William Saliba on the sidelines nine minutes into the second half, the momentum shifted towards the visitors.

But while Diaz scuffed an effort against the outside of the post after a good run, it wasn’t late on that Salah drew them level, tapping in Nunez’s low pass after the Uruguayan had been released down the inside right channel by Alexander-Arnold’s fine ball over the top.

Having eked out a win at home to Chelsea last weekend, this was another significant hurdle cleared by Liverpool, the momentum continuing. A good start is in danger of blossoming into a good season.