Ian Doyle with the main talking point from Liverpool's Premier League clash at home to Arsenal on Sunday afternoon

So ends Liverpool’s brief spell as Premier League title contenders. A second defeat at home to likely challengers for the crown has acted as a reminder of why the Reds remain a work in progress under Andoni Iraola.

Given the Basque is still getting his feet under the table at Anfield and only Manchester City and now Arsenal have beaten his side, there are plenty of reasons for encouragement.

But talk of Liverpool emerging as the closest challengers to the Gunners given the likely punishment set to be meted out on City is clearly premature on this evidence.

The Reds need to get their own house in order first. And after the tumult of last season, that supporters left this disappointingly below-par game directing their ire at the officiating and some of Arsenal’s spoiling tactics rather then their own team underlined how the landscape has changed within the fanbase. They are fully invested in the team once again.

Certainly, there was, as in the home loss to City last month, good reason to bemoan some of the decisions, not least the frankly bewildering decision not to award a penalty when Jurrien Timber’s clear tug on the shirt of Alexander Isak prevented the Liverpool striker from reaching a Bradley Barcola cross. Perhaps those in the VAR room were off making a brew.

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But while the Reds knocked hard on the visitors' door - particularly during the first half - that they failed to manage a shot on target underlines Iraola is striving for the right combination in his attack. Given the cost of the players on display, Liverpool should have done more with their possession.

Unlike the Ballon d’Or, the Premier League isn’t a popularity contest. And while Arsenal - this their first league win here since 2012 - are easy to dislike, their abrasive, cynical style is best suited to extending their reign in another Premier League season that is shaping up to be anything but memorable. This is already their title to lose.

That, though, is not Liverpool’s concern. What matters is that the Reds continue, even in defeat, to take steps in the right direction.

And while there were crumbs of comfort in this defeat, Iraola and his squad still have a long way to go to bridge the gap to the leaders.

Not quite an afternoon for going back to the drawing board, but a reminder it must continue to be consulted.