Liverpool managed to hold Premier League leaders Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, January 9, 2026, continuing their unbeaten streak to ten matches across all competitions. The Reds’ last defeat came on November 27, 2025, when they suffered a 1-4 loss to PSV in the Champions League.
While the result maintained Liverpool’s resilience, underlying statistics suggest that Arne Slot’s side is facing mounting challenges in attack, particularly in creating and converting high-quality chances against compact defenses.
Decline in Scoring Efficiency
This season, Liverpool have scored an average of 1.5 goals per Premier League match, a sharp decline compared to the 2.3 goals per game recorded in the 2023-24 season under Jurgen Klopp. The drop reflects not only fewer finishes but also reduced effectiveness in the final third, raising concerns about the team’s goal-scoring potency.
The decline is equally evident in expected goals (xG). In Klopp’s last season, Liverpool posted an xG of 2.4 per match. During Slot’s first season, it dipped slightly to 2.2, but it has now fallen further to 1.5 in 2025-26. This downward trend illustrates that the quality of chances created has significantly diminished, with fewer clear opportunities being carved out against strong defensive units.
Volume statistics tell a similar story. Liverpool’s average shots per game have dropped from 20.8 to 17.1, and now sit at 14.7. Shots on target have also suffered, decreasing from 7.3 per match in 2023-24 to 6.1 last season, and a worrying 4 per game this season. These figures reinforce the narrative of a side struggling to translate possession into meaningful scoring opportunities.
Struggling Against Low-Block Defenses
Beyond the numbers, Liverpool’s difficulties are visible on the pitch. Slot has openly acknowledged the team’s trouble breaking down low-block defenses, especially against sides that sit deep and congest the penalty area.
“I’ve said it many times, against certain styles we are very good, but against other styles, we struggle,” Slot told Sky Sports. “Even though we dominated possession for long periods, like we did against Arsenal’s low block, we struggled to create clear-cut chances. That’s something we need to improve.”
The Dutch manager also admitted that this weakness contributes to the gap between Liverpool and the Premier League leaders. “This is one of the reasons why we are behind them by quite a few points,” he added.
Indeed, while Liverpool often control the ball and dictate tempo, possession alone is no longer sufficient. The team must regain its edge in the final third, with sharper movement, better combinations, and higher-quality finishing to remain competitive at the top of the table.
Tactical and Mental Adjustments Needed
Slot’s comments highlight a broader challenge: adapting tactically and mentally to overcome defensive obstacles. Low-block teams force Liverpool to operate in crowded spaces, requiring quick decision-making, intricate passing, and precise off-the-ball runs.
Currently, the Reds’ play lacks the necessary penetration. This limitation has become a recurring theme, with matches against defensive sides often resulting in low shot counts and limited goal threats. Liverpool’s reliance on possession dominance without consistent end-product has made them vulnerable against teams prepared to sit deep and counter.
The Road Ahead
Liverpool now face a critical period in the Premier League campaign. The team must translate possession into goals if they are to challenge for the title. Improving in the final third will involve tactical tweaks, creative rotation in attacking roles, and renewed confidence in front of goal.
Slot is expected to emphasize varied attacking strategies, including exploiting wide spaces, improving link-up play between midfielders and forwards, and encouraging sharper finishing inside the box. Without these adjustments, Liverpool risk seeing their form plateau, even while maintaining possession dominance in matches.
Ultimately, the 0-0 draw against Arsenal illustrates both resilience and limitation. The Reds can control games and frustrate elite opponents, but creating and converting chances against disciplined defenses remains a pressing issue. For Liverpool to close the gap on Arsenal and remain in contention for the Premier League crown, they must sharpen their attack, increase xG, and find ways to break low-block formations effectively.
Possession may win the ball, but finishing wins the points—and for Liverpool, refining this aspect of their game is now the ultimate priority.
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