With the Reds being 15 points ahead of the Gunners at start of play, both sides were only going to be playing for pride at Anfield.
Liverpool were unbeaten in their last 14 home games against Arsenal in all competitions (W7, D7) since a 2-0 loss in the Premier League in September 2012, but Mikel Arteta's side were also unbeaten in their last five Premier League games against Liverpool (W2 D3), their longest run without defeat against the Reds since a run of eight between October 2007 and April 2011.
Arsenal had dropped 21 points from winning positions this season
The North Londoners wouldn't have needed reminding either that they'd dropped 21 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, and that's their joint-most in a single campaign (also 2019/20).
Given that 39% of Arsenal’s goals conceded in the English top-flight this season have come from set-piece situations (12/31, excluding penalties) - the highest share of any side - it was imperative that corners and free-kicks weren't given away by them willy-nilly.
Arteta would surely have therefore been pleased that Arne Slot's side were reduced to just three corners in the entire game, with their free-kicks not troubling David Raya.
Virgil van Dijk became just the fourth Dutchman in PL history to make 300 appearances as he led his team again, and he had another solid game at the back with his pass completion of 89.8% only bettered by his defensive partner, Ibrahima Konate (93.5%), who'd played significantly fewer passes.
It was the Gunners that surprisingly made all the early running, however, as they restricted the Reds to just 38.5% possession in the opening 18 minutes at Anfield.
Gakpo and Diaz put Reds in control
Just a minute later, Cody Gakpo put the hosts ahead from Andrew Robertson's first Premier League assist of the season (from his 40th attempt to set up a goal for his teammates).
When Luis Diaz added another within 87 seconds, it meant that Liverpool had scored 38 first-half goals in 36 Premier League games this season, drawing level in that respect with Manchester City.
They should really have gone on to win the game, given that when taking the lead at home in the English top-flight this season, the Reds had a record of W10, D0, L0.
In fact, in their last 36 games at Anfield when they've led at half time, they've gone on to win every one, and Liverpool were also unbeaten in their previous 155 Premier League matches (home or away) when leading at half-time (W142, D13).
That they didn't shows a determination that has sometimes been lacking from Arsenal's play this season, though it would likely have been a severe talking to from their manager at half-time that reignited the fire because by 40 minutes of play they hadn't even registered a single shot on target.
Martinelli and Merino respond
It took just over a minute after the break for Gabriel Martinelli to score his eighth goal in the Premier League this season and get the Gunners right back into the match.
Three minutes after what seemed like the entire stadium booing the introduction of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Arsenal were level thanks to Mikel Merino's seventh of the campaign. Only Bruno Fernandes has been involved in more goals among Premier League players than the Spaniard since February 15th.
The day would, of course, turn sour for the Arsenal man after receiving a red card with just over 12 minutes to play.
It was the sixth red that Anthony Taylor had brandished in 30 Premier League games in 24/25 - the most of any official to date - and collectively this season it was Arsenal's sixth. They've only received more (seven) in the 1998/99 season, so perhaps the disciplinary issues that Arteta has often been keen to divert from in press conferences are more than just for the creation of a certain narrative.
In the final 15 minutes, Liverpool poured forward in search of a winner, having 70.7% possession during that period, but to no avail, and given their dominance in much of the game, they might be kicking themselves that they didn't go on to win the match from what was a commanding position.
Mo Salah didn't get going in the Arsenal game
Mo Salah, with 10 touches in the Arsenal box, the most lively player on the two teams (level with Leandro Trossard), was unusually quiet in front of goal, not even having a shot, let alone one on target in the entire game.
In terms of general attacking play, Liverpool's two successful dribbles from 13 attempted is atrocious, and suggests a lethargy in the sense that now the title has been secured, performance levels can afford to dip.
If there's any truth to that assumption, it's a dangerous game to be playing for a perfectionist such as Arne Slot, though Arsenal too seem to have had the wind taken out of their sails.
More dropped points for the Gunners means they've only won three of their last 11 Premier League games (D6 L2), although they did avoid defeat after being 2+ goals down at half time in a game in the competition for the first time since March 2021 (3-3 against West Ham United).
Bukayo Saka was another big name that should be disappointed with his contribution too, his three shots (the most of any player) all off target.
It wasn't a vintage performance for some of his teammates either, with all of Ben White, Thomas Partey and Merino losing the ball on 10 separate occasions. Even the normally reliable Martin Odegaard topped that, losing possession 16 times (equal with Trossard). That's an astonishing statistic for someone of his quality and poise in the middle of the park.
Even if there are some positives for either side to take out of the match, the result didn't alter the status quo in the league, and both managers might be more concerned with the attitude and application of some of their players as we head into the summer.
