Liverpool manager Arne Slot insists his reigning English champions can still do "special things" this season as they prepare to face Premier League leaders Arsenal following a faltering start to their title defence.
Slot's men head to the Emirates for Thursday's clash in fourth place in the table, but 14 points adrift of the Gunners.
However, following on from a run of nine defeats in 12 games in all competitions, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last nine – although that sequence includes four draws.
Arne Slot has provided an update on the fitness of Hugo Ekitike ahead of #ARSLIV 🗣️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 7, 2026
Those draws include a goalless stalemate against Leeds and a 2-2 share of the spoils with Fulham in their first two Premier League fixtures of 2026.
"It is nine games unbeaten but we have definitely had two draws too many," Slot told a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
The Dutchman, who guided Liverpool to an impressive title triumph in his first season in charge at Anfield after succeeding Jurgen Klopp, added: "Where are we? I think I've said so many times that the answer to that question is we aren't where we want to be, but I feel we have a very talented squad.
"If everyone's available and ready, then I think we can do special things."
They certainly gave that impression earlier in the season when Liverpool beat Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield in August.
"I think we've also shown that this season because we've got quite a lot of impressive wins, but we've also had unimpressive draws and losses," said Slot.
"We haven't had the consistency but we've already beaten some very good teams, so that tells you the talent is definitely there but the consistency isn't."
Those impressive victories included home successes against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid and a 5-1 romp away to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
But on the flip side, they have suffered three-goal defeats at home three times this season, against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and PSV Eindhoven.