Liverpool remained unbeaten in the Premier League following a 0-0 draw away at Arsenal on Monday evening, in an exciting game that could have been won by either side.
The Reds dominated the first half, hitting the woodwork twice, but spent most of the second period camped on the edge of their penalty area, as they worked hard to keep out a frustrated Arsenal side.
A crazed starting period
The game got off to an enthralling start, with both sides looking shaky in defence and going for the throat early on.
Christian Benteke was presented with the first chance of the game, with Emre Can presenting the ball to him at the end of a good run, with the Belgian toe-poking wide on his left-foot.
They came much closer just 30 seconds later, striking the woodwork for the first time. Benteke turned provider, rolling the ball back to Philippe Coutinho, whose whipped shot crashed back off the post.
Determined not to be outdone going forward, Arsenal began creating chances of their own, with Alexis Sanchez at the focal point of most moves. He was on the end of Nacho Monreal's cross, heading the ball narrowly over Simon Mignolet's crossbar.
The hosts did have the ball in the net before 10 minutes had passed, with Santi Cazorla's incisive pass ran onto by Aaron Ramsey, who placed the ball just inside of the post, however the flag was raised, with replays showing it to be a hugely tigh decision.
Liverpool take control, but can't open the scoring
The nervousness in a young Arsenal defence, minus Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, was clear to see, as Francis Coquelin was forced to perform a risky challenge from behind to deny Coutinho after he intercepted a poor pass from Callum Chambers.
Coutinho was linking up well with his countryman, and debutant, Roberto Firmino, and it was the former who was pulling Arsenal to shreds again soon after, as he threaded James Milner through. Milner though, couldn't convert, seeing his shot blocked.
The best chance of the half did fall to Liverpool, who were at this point dominant, with around 7 minutes to go in it. Firmino's left-footed cross fell perfectly to Benteke's feet at the back post, and it took an unbelievable safe from Petr Cech to deny the number nine - who should have tucked it away.
There was still time for Coutinho to strike fear into the Arsenal defence once again, as he left Hector Bellerin dumbfounded with a slick piece of skill, before Cech's fingertips diverted his shot onto the post.
Arsenal come out stronger in the second half
If Liverpool ended the first half with all the initiative, they had it whisked away from them at the start of the second half, as the Gunners began playing much better, striking the woodwork themselves early on.
Cazorla, given a license to move further forward, played in Giroud, who rolled it to the marauding Sanchez, and he saw his left foot shot strike the outside of the post.
Arsenal were truly on top, and although Coutinho tried to influence things at the other end, seeing a low shot held by Cech, the Reds' were being penned back into their own half.
Giroud could, and should, have made it 1-0 when he found himself free in the six-yard box, but appeared to go to ground easily, giving Mignolet the chance to make a brilliant save from his shot.
Joe Gomez, impressing hugely at left-back, helped end a sustained period of pressure from the home side with a good interception, before racing up the pitch to show his athletic qualities. The ball was eventually worked to Milner, and Cech blocked his powerful shot.
Back at the Liverpool end, Ramsey tested Mignolet with a curling effort, minutes before a deflected shot from the Welshman almost found its way into the net.
Nobody can force a winner
With the clock ticking down, Arsene Wenger threw his pace men on in Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and the latter almost had a huge say in the outcome of the game. Sprinting down the right-wing, Oxlade Chamberlain thundered in a low cross, and Walcott's movement behind forced Martin Skrtel into action, as the Slovakian's interception flew just wide of the goal.
The Reds did get one final chance, through substitute Alberto Moreno. Brought on in a more attacking role than he is known for, he raced forward at the death, and just lacked the awareness to square the ball for an onrushing Emre Can, as he was tackled.
Oxlade-Chamberlain had the final attempt of the match, seeing a long range strike pushed away for a corner, which Liverpool dealt with as the final whistle was blown.