Liverpool might not be top of the Premier League at Christmas, but it is certainly still in an enthralling title race as 2024 nears. That much has already become clear.
The Reds had to settle for a point in their top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal at Anfield, with Gabriel and Mohamed Salah’s goals in the first half canceling each other out. Liverpool though will no doubt rue Trent Alexander-Arnold hitting the crossbar with the goal at his mercy after the break.
Nevertheless, Liverpool can consider itself a firm challenger for this season’s title, although yesterday’s draw will have left Jürgen Klopp with a couple more concerns. Here are three hot takes that you can’t ignore following yesterday’s 1-1 draw.
It says everything about Liverpool at the moment that the biggest question mark heading into the game surrounded who would start in the front three. Salah is a given, but who would be the other two players to join him?
Having got himself on the scoresheet against West Ham, Cody Gakpo was given the nod in the center, while Luis Díaz was preferred to Darwin Núñez on the left. It was hoped that after a confidence boost in midweek, the frontline would once again be firing. Bar Salah though, it was the same old story as it has been for a number of weeks now.
Gakpo and Díaz once again drew a blank, and drew criticism for their performances from former Red Jamie Carragher during his commentary for Sky Sports. Núñez looked more of a threat after coming on, but he couldn’t do anything to find Liverpool a late winner.
After a slight respite on Wednesday, the form of Liverpool’s forwards continues to be of concern. With Salah heading off to the AFCON next month, their performances desperately need to start improving, especially if Egypt goes far in the tournament.
If they can’t improve, then perhaps Jürgen Klopp will have a new transfer priority that no one could have expected. That might be the case anyway if Díaz’s knee injury proves to be anything serious.
Salah’s future and Saudi Arabia’s interest will almost certainly crop up again next month, but it’s his other forwards that might prove the bigger concern for Liverpool.
Liverpool can claim huge title advantage over Arsenal
If Liverpool’s frontline is proving to be a concern, then Mikel Arteta can’t feel much more confident about his side’s attack. There were a number of times at Anfield when Bukayo Saka must have felt like pulling his hair out at his teammates’ reluctance to gamble in order to get on the end of his pull-backs.
There is no doubting Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli’s qualities, but their attacking instincts weren’t up to scratch here, and there is a question mark over whether Arsenal will have the goals to carry them to a title.
That will make Liverpool’s attackers’ plight all the more frustrating. Both sides looked solid in midfield and defense, and if Díaz, Núñez and Gakpo can just find their shooting boots, the Reds will hold a major advantage over the Gunners.
Klopp needs a Christmas present
“As long as other clubs don’t put [someone] under the Christmas tree for us, I don’t think so to be honest.”
Jürgen Klopp was somewhat pessimistic about Liverpool’s chances of signing a new defender in January earlier this month. Having potentially lost another player against Arsenal, he might be hoping for a visit from Santa tomorrow.
With Kostas Tsimikas now seemingly facing a spell on the sidelines with a broken collarbone, Liverpool is practically down to the bare bones in defense. Another injury, and the Reds will have to rely on their youngsters to fill the gaps.
The remit is clear then — Liverpool simply needs to sign a new defender next month. If not, it could put its title hopes in serious jeopardy.
