While losing 1-0 to an unlikeable Arsenal team did not feel good, there were at least some positives for Liverpool to take from the afternoon.

No shots on target by Liverpool and Arsenal’s first win at Anfield in 14 years doesn’t sound like an enjoyable watch.

But, for large parts of the match, Andoni Iraola’s side were on top and were arguably only left with no points due to a controversial decision taken by the VAR, Stuart Attwell.

Here, Sam Millne (@sam_millne) and Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) discuss the good and the bad from the Arsenal defeat, as well as what it means for Liverpool’s trip to play Fenerbahce.

A defeat, but is there a reason to be positive?

Sam: Despite ultimately losing, it was another game that showed me that Liverpool are heading in the right direction.

The team are sustaining attacks far more effectively this season and the passion has returned to Anfield.

Trey Nyoni was very promising again. I think the biggest compliment you can pay him is that he does not look like a 19-year-old.

If he can control games the way he is now, imagine the midfielder he could become over the next 10 years.

Henry: I’m with Sam. I came away from that feeling quite positive, despite the obvious frustration of losing to that awful bunch!

That period in the first half when Arsenal couldn’t live with us was great. Nyoni and Alexis Mac Allister were brilliant – I would have never taken Trey off.

The first half was the most I’ve enjoyed watching the Reds, style-wise, since Klopp left!

I think Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola were good in the first half before fading. It feels like something is building under Iraola, which is the most important thing.

Where did it go wrong for Liverpool?

Henry: Look, I don’t want to single people out, but the game changed when Szoboszlai replaced Nyoni.

Sure, it may be a coincidence, and Liverpool weren’t exactly on fire towards the end of Trey’s stint, but we lost all control without him.

I’ve said it many times, but Dom is our version of Bruno Fernandes – he’s clearly fantastic talent-wise, but also a headless chicken.

I’d also say that when you have three £100 million+ players on the pitch, you need one of them to be a difference-maker in a big game.

None of them were, and that has to start changing fast.

Sam: While I agree on the wider point about Szoboszlai, I didn’t think it was a particularly bad performance off the bench, but he just doesn’t have the same qualities as Nyoni.

It is true that the youngster’s substitution meant Liverpool lost some of their control, but I would be looking more to the forwards for culpability.

Barcola and Cody Gakpo’s end product was poor, while Isak and Florian Wirtz fluttered in and out of the game.

The German attacking midfielder worked hard and showed some nice touches, but you just want him to take the game by the scruff of the neck more often.

Should Alexander Isak have had a penalty?

Sam: Absolutely. Sitting in line with the incident at the ground, I didn’t see the shirt pull in real time.

However, that is what we have VAR for, isn’t it? If not, then what’s the point?

The pull on his shirt was very obvious on replays, and it had a material effect on a clear goalscoring chance. If that’s not a penalty for the VAR, Stuart Attwell, then what is?

Henry: I have just given up with VAR at this point. It has made football worse and there is little debating that.

How you can be a well-paid professional referee and not be able to see that foul in the VAR booth is beyond me.

As Sam says, I don’t blame Andy Madley (for once) as it wasn’t that clear initially, but do you only give fouls when you go down now?

It’s asking for players to cheat!

How strong should Liverpool go against Fenerbahce?

Henry: I’d expect a few changes here and there, but still a strong Liverpool XI. Let’s get qualification done early to ease that festive period.

It probably makes sense for Dom to start – not in a double pivot, though! – so maybe a rest for Wirtz could make sense.

Or play Wirtz on the left and Dom in the No. 10 role, with Barcola on the right and the very frustrating Gakpo left out.

Henry’s XI: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Barcola, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Isak

Sam: If Liverpool had beaten Arsenal, I think it would have been far easier for Iraola to rest players.

Momentum is a big part of a football team’s psychology, and the manager will be keen for the Reds to regain it quickly.

Still, though, we should expect some changes given that Liverpool are in a very good position in the league phase table, with Club Brugge and Porto next to come.

Sam’s predicted XI: Alisson; Gomez, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak