Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted his side’s goalless draw with Arsenal highlights the struggles they have faced against teams playing a low block this season.

The defending champions failed to register a single shot on target in Thursday’s Premier League clash — the first time that has happened in a league match since March 2010 against Wigan Athletic, ending a run of 600 consecutive games with at least one shot on target.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Slot said Liverpool’s difficulty in breaking down well-organised defences has been a recurring issue throughout the campaign.

“I’ve said 150 times already that against certain playing styles, we’re a very good team, and against certain playing styles we struggle,” Slot said.
“Maybe you could even see that — although people are now positive we kept the ball so long — but even against the low block of Arsenal, we struggled to create chances. That is something we would like to do better. One of the reasons we’re so many points behind them.”

Arsenal currently sit six points clear of Manchester City and Aston Villa, while Liverpool remain fourth, 14 points adrift despite a nine-game unbeaten run.

Liverpool’s average shots on target have dropped from 6.1 last season to just four this term. Slot, however, acknowledged that their opponents were a formidable side in the league leaders.

“The only thing we missed from us, not for the first time, is the moments around the box,” he said.
“You’re hoping to create even more chances, but against an Arsenal team that has great momentum, to put in a performance like this is something I’m very positive about.”

Liverpool will next face Barnsley in the third round of the FA Cup on Monday before returning to Premier League action against Burnley on January 17.