Slot must drop 5/10 Liverpool flop

Liverpool continued its long series of draws in the Premier League with a 0-0 stalemate against league leaders Arsenal on Thursday evening.

It was far from a thrilling classic between the two elite heavyweights, as only four efforts on target were recorded by both teams battling throughout the night, but Arné Slot’s men could come away from the match satisfied with the way they contested the matter against Mikel Arteta’s frontmen.

Indeed, as Sky Sports’ Daniel Sturridge said, the away team delivered a “experienced” display at the Emirates, as they never seemed to buckle under Arsenal’s pressure.

Several Reds players have managed to stand out in this regard, as the Merseyside giants continue to pick up points to move closer to the Gunners at the top of the table.

Liverpool’s best players against Arsenal

This was certainly a game where Liverpool’s defense shone the most, as Arsenal failed to excite the north London masses with many chances.

Alisson would collect a well-deserved sixth clean sheet of the season making four saves in total, as Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice nearly surprised the Brazilian in the first half.

Additionally, Ibrahima Konate stood firm as the hosts attempted to create openings, with seven clearances recorded in total, keeping Alisson’s clean sheet intact.

Liverpool had a few moments of brilliance here and there in the attacking areas. Connor Bradley hit the bar in the first half while Jeremie Frimpong caused all sorts of headaches for Arteta and Co with his blistering pace down the right channel. Unfortunately for the visitors, his final product ended up being inaccurate most of the time, registering no accurate crosses after six attempts.

This will not prevent journalist Jack Gill from saying that Frimpong has all the assets to become a “absolute superstar” for the reigning champions, with Sturridge, once again, weighing in on his own thoughts by declaring he would be “proud” of his own efforts, after enduring an intermittent start to his career at Anfield.

However, it was not all positive for Liverpool at the full-time whistle.

Liverpool star to be dropped after Arsenal

Often, meetings between Arsenal and Liverpool are goal-laden, as demonstrated by the Reds’ 2-2 draw at the Emirates last season en route to the Premier League title. Indeed, this meeting had not ended without a goal since 2015, when Arsène Wenger and Brendan Rodgers managed both teams.

A goal-heavy affair certainly wasn’t the case on Thursday night as Slot’s men failed to register a single effort on target from David Raya’s goal. Cody Agat notably achieved another unforgettable performance on the left channel.

Having scored against Fulham in the game before this trip to north London, Gakpo would have hoped to have taken a step forward as a first-team regular under Slot.

Unfortunately, against Arteta’s formidable opponents, he slipped back into the version of himself that saw him go four matches without a goal or assist to close out 2025 and begin 2026, while the below-par number 18 only managed to register one weak effort on the home side’s goal all evening.

Additionally, Gakpo would close his uninspired performance with no successful dribbles accumulated, possession given away ten times and only 42% of his duels won half-heartedly, leading Liverpool World journalist Will Rooney to give him a low score. Post-match rating 5/10.

The social media account Liverpool News would even state bluntly that the men of Slot “need a new left winger” in the near future, with 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha perhaps the long-term solution, given he has a Premier League goal to shout this season, after just 79 minutes of action.

Ngumoha could get that chance to impress, in place of the hot and cold Dutchman, when Barnsley come to Anfield on Monday night in the FA Cup, with that third round tie against a League One opponent giving Slot a good opportunity to experiment.

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