Wednesday night more or less spelled the end of Arsenal's title hopes with a forgettable 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Barring an unprecedented twist of fates - the Gunners are now closer to 10th than first-placed Liverpool - the north London side are set to finish second fiddle for the third season in a row.
There are of course the regular caveats; a long-term injury to the scintillating Bukayo Saka; no fewer than five red cards over the season; both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus out for the rest of the season.
Yet it is unavoidable that Liverpool have simply been the better side, and that realisation after pushing Manchester City to the line two years in a row is one that is likely bruising to take.
Lining up with Mikel Merino as the central striker - one of three central defensive midfielders in the starting XI - highlights the Gunners' plight, and unsurprisingly did not lead to a goal fest at the City Ground.
In fact, after the final whistle, two of the side's best and most consistent performers Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice could be seen in a heated exchange.
As the players made their way from the field, the two Gunners stars seemed to be discussing an action from the game, with Rice gesticulating furiously.
Gabriel appeared to take umbrage with what his team-mate had to say, responding with apparent disagreement, before they looked to simmer down and part amicably.
The disappointment of a toothless draw, on the back of a woeful weekend performance at home to West Ham, is understandable, especially with the dawning realisation that the Gunners' wait for an English crown is delayed another year.
Mikel Arteta, however, remained positive after another bruising result, praising his side's play, though he admitted there needs to be improvement in forward areas.
'[His side had] unquestionable character, how much wanted it and tried. We dominated the game. We tried in many different ways. We insisted but lacked that spark, that final pass to unlock a well organised team. We have to generate more shots on target,' he told BBC Sport.
'Very different standard [to the West Ham defeat]. We defended with energy, purpose, fight, willingness to make things happen. It wasn't because we lacked that. We tried until the end but weren't able to do it.
'It was same a week ago, two weeks ago, three months ago. The only thing we can do is win our matches and see how many points we get. It doesn't feel good. We're here to win.'
And forward Leandro Trossard echoed the sentiment, adding: We played well today, we were dominant throughout the whole game today. But the goals happen in the box. We defended really well but up top we need to create more.
'The effort is there, but one moment it needs to click again and then the goals will come. It's hard to find a solution but we just need to keep pushing. We know with the players who are out we need to find solutions.
'That's up to everyone. I don't think it's about effort, today we played quite well. Hopefully it will click soon.
'We are a good group. There's no magic ingredient, we just need to keep going. You always have to believe but I don't think we need to look ahead, we just need to keep thinking about the next game.'
The Gunners are next in action on Tuesday, when their Champions League campaign resumes.
Arteta's side will face Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven in the Last-16 away from home before taking on Manchester United next weekend in the Premier League.
