How can it be that Liverpool go into November as yet unbeaten in the league yet still lie sixth? The answer lies in the excessive number of draws that have stunted any hope of progress. Had the games against Birmingham and Tottenham been won, then Liverpool would be second with a game in hand and matters looking a lot rosier.

Not that there be too many complaints with today’s draw. Having played so badly against Besiktas I think most fans were fearful that this game might turn into a humiliation. At least, this time round the players showed a lot more passion but simply came up against a team that at the moment is playing better. And don’t Arsenal play some fantastic football? Every time they moved forward I thought that they were going to score and it was only some excellent defending – and a slice of good luck – that kept them out.

The downside is that Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres both forced Benitez into making substitutions – as would have Javier Mascherano if not for the fact that all substitutions had been used up - and the hope now has to be that neither one will be missing for too long.

Good Game
Wrong footed in the goal, Pepe Reina didn’t do much wrong and his excellent reading of the game meant that he was quick to block any Arsenal player who broke free. That said, he was extremely lucky that the Arsenal players didn’t make better use of the shots that rebounded off the post.

Jamie Carragher once again had to work overtime to keep Arsenal at bay and had another great game. So too, thankfully, had Sami Hyppia whose experience made up for his lack of speed. He needs a rest, however, and giving Jack Hobbs a run against Cardiff shouldn’t hurt too much.

Steve Finnan is another who partially redeemed himself from the Besiktas game and was also looking to move forward something that he hasn’t really done of late. That was partially down to the presence of Steven Gerrard who also tracked back every time that Finnan went into attack. The captain scored the first goal and had a very good game: perhaps that derby substitution was what he needed.

Gerrard would have probably been the man of the match if it hadn’t been for Javier Mascherano. The Argentine’s passing might have gone occasionally stray yet his defending and anticipation was a key reason why Liverpool were able to hold out. Of course, he was aided by the returning Xabi Alonso. The Spaniard might not have been playing the best football of his Liverpool career before his injury, yet the enforced absence and his performance against Arsenal proved how valuable his tidying up is.

Up front, Dirk Kuyt was, well, Dirk Kuyt. He worked hard and challenged for every ball. Unfortunately he never looked like scoring which is what you would expect from a striker.

Bad Game
Like the rest of the side, John Arne Riise gave his all today yet his crossing left a lot to be desired. The same applies to Andriy Voronin who might be an intelligent player yet he isn’t a winger and that showed today. This was one game too early for Fernando Torres and his lack of fitness showed for throughout the forty five minutes he managed to put in.

Substitutes
For the first time this season, Peter Crouch came on and showed his talent. He forced Almunia into two difficult saves and if can keep up this form he should be given a run in the side. The same goes for Yossi Benayoun whose running can cause problems and he occasionally did today. Alvaro Arbeloa has been used by Rafael Benitez in various positions and he has always done well. However, central midfield isn’t his role and it showed up big time.