Mikel Arteta called it “remarkable.” After Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Anfield — their first victory there in more than 14 years — the Gunners manager highlighted a startling statistic: for the first time on record (since 2003-04), Liverpool failed to register a single shot on target in a home Premier League match.
David Raya had a quiet afternoon, and while Arteta admitted the contest felt tighter on the pitch, he praised his side’s defensive discipline. “You have to be so good at blocking shots and preventing those spaces,” he said. “To do it against this team is something remarkable.”
Liverpool had moments. They recorded 28 touches in Arsenal’s penalty area in the first half — the most by any side against the Gunners in an opening period since 2008-09 — and came close through Florian Wirtz’s free-kick that hit the bar and an Alexis Mac Allister header that went over. A potential penalty for a shirt pull on Alexander Isak was also waved away. Yet the Reds could not convert pressure into clear chances.
The bigger picture is more concerning. Liverpool have scored just four Premier League goals at Anfield this season — their joint-lowest after five home games in top-flight history. In three of those five matches (against Fulham, Manchester City and Arsenal) they failed to score at all.
The club has invested heavily in its forward line. Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz arrived for a combined £354 million ($462 million), while Cody Gakpo’s earlier signing brings the first-choice attacking quartet to more than $500 million. Before the Arsenal game there were signs of improvement — Isak had scored six in his last seven league appearances and Barcola was contributing regularly — but none of the big names produced a decisive moment against the champions.
Liverpool have scored only 11 goals in nine Premier League games this season, fewer than newly promoted Ipswich and only one more than struggling Manchester United. They rank 19th for big chances created. Key attacking metrics have also dropped compared with the same stage last season under Arne Slot.
The contrast with Europe is striking. Liverpool have scored 12 goals in three Champions League matches. Manager Andoni Iraola has suggested the difference lies more in the style of opposition than the competition itself. New arrivals such as Barcola and Wirtz appear more comfortable away from the intense physical demands of the Premier League.
Other issues are compounding the problem. Iraola is still searching for the right midfield balance and is experimenting with young talent such as Trey Nyoni. Full-back positions remain a work in progress, with Milos Kerkez energetic but limited on the ball and Ronald Araújo more of a defensive stabiliser than an attacking outlet.
Iraola was appointed partly for his ability to improve attacking players, but he is only 14 games into the job. The expected return of Hugo Ekitike from injury should add further options. Midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai summed up the current mood: “Some days it feels like we are at the top, and some days it feels like we are not even close. It takes time to be at the top.”
Liverpool’s expensive forward line has the talent. The question is how quickly Iraola can turn potential into consistent Premier League production.