Cech stars as Arsenal secure Liverpool Draw

Liverpool maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League season as they played out a thrilling goalless draw with Arsenal at The Emirates.

In a game littered with chances, brilliant goalkeeping and defensive mistakes, it was almost beyond belief that neither side could make the crucial breakthrough and carve out a victory that would have delivered an early psychological blow among the contenders at the top of the table.

Liverpool dominated the first half but ran into goalkeeper Petr Cech in magnificent form as Arsenal's £10m summer signing from Chelsea saved miraculously from Christian Benteke and turned Philippe Coutinho's shot on to a post.

Coutinho had also struck the woodwork early on - and while Arsenal's opportunities were few, they were furious that Aaron Ramsey's early strike was ruled out for offside.

Arsenal regrouped and dominated much of the second half, Alexis Sanchez hitting the post and Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet produced a fine reflex save from Olivier Giroud.

Liverpool will be delighted with a third successive clean sheet on the back of victories against Stoke City and Bournemouth while Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will be equally pleased by the character shown by his side after a difficult first half.

Relive Arsenal's draw against Liverpool

Cech shows his worth

When Arsenal signed Cech from Chelsea, the instant wisdom was that his presence alone could be worth an extra 10 points to the Gunners.

Time will tell if those calculations prove to be true but this was the night when the 33-year-old showed just how important a signing he could be for Arsenal and Wenger as they try to finally mount a serious Premier League title challenge.

Cech was castigated to an exaggerated degree after a poor debut in the home defeat against West Ham United but he was magnificent here when Liverpool laid siege to Arsenal's goal in the first half.

He spread himself brilliantly to turn away Benteke's close-range effort when it seemed certain the striker would score, then showed he still retains the old athleticism to stretch and fingertip Coutinho's curling shot against an upright.

If any Arsenal fans harboured doubts about his purchase, this was a display to dispel them.

Coutinho plus Benteke equals danger

When Liverpool almost won the title in 2014, it was spearheaded by the superb attacking triumvirate of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling.

Liverpool floundered last season with Suarez at Barcelona, Sturridge injured and Sterling disaffected and out of sorts before his £49m move to Manchester City.

Manager Brendan Rodgers needed to reignite that attacking spark and while there can be no comparisons with that trio, there are so many signs of promise in the understanding already established between Coutinho and £32.5m summer signing Benteke.

Coutinho's darting runs and fast footwork means he provides danger all on his own while also looking for an outlet in Benteke, whose easy movement shows he is so much more than a big target man.

They have shown Liverpool can offer a different type of danger this season - and Rodgers will face an intriguing conundrum when Sturridge finally declares himself fit.