Arsenal were punished for a host of missed chances as Jakub Kiwior's own goal and Luis Diaz's late strike sent Liverpool into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win.
Mikel Arteta's side finished 2023 with back-to-back Premier League defeats and they started brightly as they looked to respond with a first win of 2024. However, their well-documented struggles in front of goal continued as chance after chance went begging against Liverpool.
Martin Odegaard's shot rattled the crossbar, while Reiss Nelson and Kai Havertz were also guilty of missed opportunities as the visitors, who hit the woodwork themselves through Trent Alexander-Arnold, got in at the break level.
It was a much more even contest in the second half as both sides fluffed their lines in front of goal. Bukayo Saka couldn't convert Havertz's cross, while Darwin Nunez's pass was behind Diaz as Liverpool threatened on the break.
The breakthrough eventually came 10 minutes from time as Kiwior diverted the ball past Aaron Ramsdale and into his own net before Diaz's injury-time strike (90+5) sent the Gunners crashing out of the FA Cup with a third straight defeat in all competitions.
Arsenal have now only one win in their last seven matches in all competitions as the pressure builds on Arteta to find a solution to his side's struggles in front of goal.
Meanwhile, Liverpool, who are still in with a chance of winning four competitions this season, can look forward to Monday's fourth-round draw.
What's next?
Arsenal's next game is on Saturday January 20 when they host Crystal Palace in the Premier League; kick-off 12.30pm. The Gunners then travel to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday January 30; kick-off 7.30pm.
Liverpool's next outing is at home to Fulham in their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Wednesday; kick-off 8pm. Jurgen Klopp's side then visit Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday January 21 at 4.30pm.