When Liverpool went into the locker room at halftime at Anfield on Sunday, things were looking terrific as the Champions had outplayed a visiting Arsenal and held a comfortable and deserved, 2-0 lead.
That all changed following a dismal second half display that eventually saw the match fizzle out into a 2-2 draw, a carbon copy of the first Premier League meeting between these two in the fall.
Having said that, when you look at the match in totality, it's yet another point gained against a top side and while the blown lead is never ideal, the performance was better than what we got in the defeat to Chelsea the week prior.
As you examine the match, there are some lessons to be learned for now and future use. Let's take a look at what some of those lessons are.
1. Liverpool are in 100% coast mode
First, let me start by saying this is not an indictment on the club. When you lock up the league crown with four matches to spare, you've more than earned the opportunity to pull it back a bit and enjoy it.
That the first two matches after securing the title came against Chelsea and Arsenal, two clubs battling for European positioning, is just unlucky timing for Arne Slot and his charges.
A heavily rotated side against the Blues put on a poor display as they were well-beaten in the end by a much hungrier Chelsea team. Sunday's first half was a flash back to the high-flying Liverpool we've come to expect.
The second half showed the ability and desire, to really battle and dig deep for a full 90 minutes. is gone for this season. Again, that's fair enough but it is a reality and should be taken into consideration when trying to examine how the squad is playing out the stretch.
The idea of Liverpool sprinting through the finish line was a nice thought, but perhaps in practice it never made much sense.
They've earned this monthlong Guard of Honor and we cannot fault them for taking their foot off the gas.
2. Liverpool might have a new TAA dilemma
The response to Trent Alexander-Arnold confirming his intentions to leave Liverpool this summer upon the expiry of his contract was a mixed bag of anger, sadness, nostalgia and everything else under the sun.
Whichever way he leaned, there were going to be fans of the club and other clubs that would not be happy in some shape or form.
However, while it's one thing to be mad on social media or a desktop, Sunday afternoon showed us it wasn't going to be a smooth departure out the door for Alexander-Arnold.
Slot decided to introduce the embattled right-back just short of the 70th minute for a tiring Conor Bradley and large swaths of the Anfield crowd greeted this news with loud and personal boos.
Every single time Trent touched the ball he heard the whistles and boos. It was a strange thing to witness when Liverpool are in the midst of celebrating another Premier League title. It brought an unwanted negativity to the stadium and the pitch, and you could notice a slight shift among the players.
What is Slot to do now for the rest of the season? More playing time for No. 66 could bring unwanted negative energy to what is supposed to be a joyous saunter to lifting the trophy.
3. The Reds still need a new No. 9
As much as myself and so many others have yearned for Darwin Nunez to put his woes and inconsistencies behind him, he just can't seem to do it here.
Diogo Jota is still a fine player, but he has not looked like his normally lethal finishing self in many months. Luis Diaz, a natural left-winger, started through the middle against the 2nd place team in England. That is not a good thing.
Yes, Lucho got on the scoresheet and made an impact. He's a great player, that's what they do. However, his true talents are better used on the wing and cutting in.
It would be great to sign a forward like Alexander Isak, but if that is not feasible, Richard Hughes and the team must pivot to another option.
A bonafide pure No. 9 would alleviate so much pressure on Mohamed Salah while also unlocking higher ceilings for Diaz and Cody Gakpo along with Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai who would be the chief creators.
It's a position that needs to be addressed and sooner than later at that.