Arsenal lose but promise better things to come in Liverpool match that sees Reds close on Man City - The Warm-Up

THURSDAY'S BIG STORIES Green Shoots Ad/> It probably says something not particularly pleasant about the Premier League, but last night's game between Arsenal and Liverpool was, somehow, much more about the former than the latter. The team in second rolling up and dismissing the team in fourth was what we all expected. The question was: could Arsenal not get hammered? And then, to follow: what would Arsenal not getting hammered mean? Premier LeagueKlopp: Nothing changes for Liverpool after 2-0 win at 'top class' Arsenal11 HOURS AGO The answers? Yes, just about; and it's unclear, but likely nothing too bad.

Given the Premier League, this is about as much as 18 sides can hope for from the visit of Liverpool. Given Arsenal's habit of melting down and giving up in the big games, you could understand an open-top bus parade. Just a small one.

A quick pootle up the Holloway Road, traffic allowing. There were creaky moments, of course. Arsenal still lost.

But after weathering an early feisty spell from Liverpool, the home team were able to muscle themselves back into the game, and it hung suspended in that weird balance that modern elite football sometimes delivers. A game at once frantic and empty, busy and chanceless, as both teams stand there poking each other and saying «no you make a mistake, no you make a mistake, no you make a mistake.» One thing you can be sure of: somebody will make a mistake. Although you'd probably have got long odds on Thiago misplacing a pass.

In the space of a few minutes, Liverpool's no.8 played two perfect through balls. The first, unfortunately for him, was back through his own defence, to the feet of Alexander Lacazette. Out came Alisson, waving his arms.