A late Alexandre Lacazette goal denied Liverpool maximum points against Arsenal.

James Milner had put the visitors ahead at the Emirates Stadium in the second half with a finish from the edge of the area after Bernd Leno spilled Sadio Mane’s cross.

But the Gunners were able to salvage a point as Lacazette scored an equaliser eight minutes from time with a curling effort beyond Reds goalkeeper Alisson.

Here were the key talking points from the Emirates:

Point taken, not lost, for Reds

 

Dropping two points often feels like a defeat where Liverpool are concerned.

But they can take positives from this draw after coming up against an Arsenal side on a good run of form and growing into Unai Emery’s system.

Emery has already made the Gunners a far robust proposition, with an unbeaten run dating back to a narrow defeat away to Chelsea on August 18.

For Liverpool to come to this away fixture, and not comfortably create a flurry of chances, should not be seen as a negative but rather the opposite.

Fabinho is pulling the strings

 

Of all the summer signings, Fabinho has definitely been a slow-burner.

Three successive games later, however, it has been a worthwhile wait.

He acts like a puppeteer; positioned in the middle of the group pulling the team in whichever direction the play dictates and generally keeps the ball ticking over.

But Fabinho’s ability to break up play is Liverpool’s key asset and served them well as Arsenal began to pile on the pressure in the latter stages of this game.

He adds an edginess to Klopp’s midfield, so much so that he played on a knife-edge for the dwindling minutes of the game with a booking to his name.

It clearly took time for the new signing to adapt and learn the Klopp system, but those lessons are now helping him develop into a key member of Liverpool’s midfield.

Firmino continuing to misfire

 

Roberto Firmino had scored more goals against Arsenal than any other club.

But the Brazil international’s inability to build on that impressive run of five strikes in six previous outings must be starting to worry Jurgen Klopp.

Last season, Firmino played an integral role in helping gel the Reds’ attacking three but is currently finding it difficult to rediscover that mojo.

His work rate is not under question, and his often drifting back into midfield to involve himself in the play in attempts to force through an opening.

However it’s clear Firmino is struggling to make the connections with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah that became commonplace just a matter of months ago.

Mane can’t do it alone

 

If last season belonged to Salah, Mane is currently Liverpool’s main strike threat.

The Egyptian has found it frustratingly difficult to build on his former glories, with defenders finding his moves inside from the right increasingly obvious.

But Mane’s drive, directness and speed is often the force that takes pressure off.

It also enables him to get in behind defences to stretch opponents and create opportunities, evidenced this time around by James Milner’s opener.

If Liverpool are to continue the title challenge, they will need Mane to maintain this form. But he may need Salah and Firmino to grasp last seasons form.