Mikel Arteta called it "remarkable." Arsenal's 1-0 win at Anfield on Sunday was their first victory there in more than 14 years, but what pleased their manager most was Liverpool's failure to register a shot on target, a first for the Reds at home in the Premier League since records began in 2003-04. Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the 16th minute.
"I didn't know about that statistic, but that's incredible," Arteta said, praising his players' commitment to blocking shots and denying space.
Arteta conceded the contest felt tighter than that figure suggests. After falling behind, Liverpool pinned the visitors back and registered 28 first-half touches in the Arsenal penalty area, the most by any team in the opening period of a league game against the Gunners since records began in 2008-09. The hosts might have had a penalty for Jurriën Timber's shirt pull on Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz hit the crossbar with a free kick and Alexis Mac Allister headed over.
The underlying problem, though, is real. Liverpool have scored just four league goals at Anfield this season, their joint-fewest after five home matches of a top-flight campaign, level with 1913-14 and 2012-13, and they have drawn home blanks against Fulham, Manchester City and now Arsenal. Manager Andoni Iraola must work out why his expensively assembled attack keeps stalling.
There had been encouraging signs before the weekend. Isak had six goals in seven league games and had scored in three straight matches for the first time in over 18 months, summer signing Bradley Barcola had five goal contributions in four games, and Wirtz was settling at No.10. The trio cost a combined £354 million ($462 million) over three transfer windows; including Cody Gakpo's £37 million ($49 million) signing in 2023, Liverpool's first-choice front four cost over $500 million.
None delivered on Sunday: Wirtz was substituted with his side chasing the game and posted an expected assists mark of 0.06, Barcola faded after a bright start, and Isak had only 26 touches, completing 12 of 16 passes.
The broader numbers are stark. Liverpool's 11 goals in nine league games are two fewer than newly promoted Ipswich Town and only one more than Michael Carrick's Manchester United, while their seven big chances created rank 19th; Manchester City lead that metric with 32. At the same stage last season, Liverpool had 24, second in the league. Passes into the penalty area are down from 115 to 90, carries ending in the attacking box from 167 to 137, and last season's 63 league goals under Arne Slot were the club's fewest since 2015-16.
Europe has offered relief, with 12 goals in three Champions League games. "I don't really know the reason," Iraola admitted last month, putting the contrast down to different opposition such as LASK, Villarreal and Atlético Madrid. Barcola told French outlet Téléfoot that the Premier League is "less technical" than Ligue 1 and a big step up physically, a demand he and Wirtz have yet to master.
Problems elsewhere have not helped. Iraola is still seeking midfield balance and handed 19-year-old Trey Nyoni a first league start; the teenager completed 53 passes, 14 of them line-breaking, in 59 minutes, the most of any player while he was on the field. At full-back, Milos Kerkez's quality on the ball is a hindrance at times, while Barcelona loanee Ronald Araújo, a natural center back, adds defensive security but little attacking threat.
Patience remains the message. Sources told ESPN that Iraola's record of improving attacking players was among the main reasons for his appointment, and he is only 14 games in. Hugo Ekitike's expected return from an Achilles injury in the coming months should add firepower. "Some days it feels like we are at the top, and some days it feels like we are not even close," midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai told Viaplay. "It takes time to be at the top, I think."
