Liverpool suffered their first league defeat in eight games on Wednesday but it was the worrying lack of creative spark that has been a constant theme throughout the season that will frustrate many Liverpool fans.

Rafa Benitez has made his name through setting up his teams maticulously in order to frustrate the opposition, and to a degree it worked, as it did at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season.

The problem being; if you do concede, the mentality must change instantly in search of a goal. In these types of games it is vital Liverpool get the first goal, but to do that there must be some kind of threat posed when Liverpool do get forward.

Arsenal are a good side, but again tonight they were there to be shot at. In recent weeks Manchester United and Chelsea have shown how to play Arsenal, play deep and penetrate on the counter attack.

Liverpool tried to match the blueprint but a lack of composure and imagination in the final third left the Reds toothless in attack. The only time this looked otherwise was when Ngog was put through by Gerrard, only to be denied by a great last-ditch challenge by William Gallas.

In truth the Ngog chance was the only moment of the match when Liverpool looked to open the home side up.

The game was crying out for someone like Albert Riera to show abit of craft and guile for the away side. Maxi Rodriguez looked a little off the Premier League pace and it was surprising to see him last the 90 minutes.

When Arsenal did score the hosts seemed anxious to hold onto their lead and retreated somewhat. While Liverpool held much of the possesion in the final moments of the game the Arsenal goal never looked too much under threat, Ryan Babel forced a great save from Manuel Almunia but that was about it.

Saturday's game at Manchester City now becomes huge, a loss will mean City will be three points ahead of Liverpool with two games in hand, it's a position Liverpool can ill-afford to be in.