It was a frustrating night for Arsenal as they came up just shy of a spot in the Carabao Cup Final.
Liverpool were without Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane but outclassed Mikel Arteta's men at the Emirates as they secured a 2-0 win thanks to a brace from Diogo Jota.
The Gunners had issues of their own with injuries, players at AFCON and Covid cases that postponed the north London derby at the weekend, but there was a belief they could get the better of Jurgen Klopp's men after an impressive 0-0 draw at Anfield when they played the majority of the game with ten men.
But Arsenal couldn't follow up on that performance and it's that inconsistency that has cost them this season.
Is Dusan Vlahovic the ideal Arsenal striker? Comment below
One minute they're sky-high and the next week they're a shadow of that which is understandable, however, given the youthfulness of their squad.
Arteta realises Arsenal are playing the long game, but even the Spaniard was visibly frustrated they couldn't hit their peak levels when it mattered most against Liverpool.
The Gunners boss could be seen throwing his arms in Gabriel Martinelli's direction after he was slow to press a loose throw-in taken by Andy Robertson just before halftime, according to football.london.
The Brazilian has been a revelation in recent months and was one of his best performers in an Arsenal shirt as Jurgen Klopp hailed the generational talent at full-time.
But it just goes to show he is not the finished article and Arsenal shouldn't be relying on him so heavily.
It's exactly why Arsenal are in the market for a proven goalscorer with a move for Dusan Vlahovic edging closer.
Reports in Italy suggest the north Londoners' bid of £66milllion for the Fiorentina talisman has been accepted, but Arsenal face stiff competition for his signature.
Arsenal realise the importance of getting the deal across the finish line this month, it's exactly why they are willing to break the bank to facilitate it.
And Arteta suggested as much in his post-match press conference as he admitted Arsenal still have some way to go before they can challenge for trophies on multiple fronts again - something of a thinly veiled message to Edu about Arsenal's need for reinforcements.
He said: "You need to have a squad of 20, 22 top outfield top players," the Spaniard said. "To do that takes time."
