Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal: Havertz punishes Alisson's error as Arsenal win at Anfield for the first time in 14 years and go three points clear
Kai Havertz's 16th-minute goal gives Arsenal a first win at Anfield in 14 years. They lead on 24 points, while Liverpool had 17 shots and none on target.
At a glance
- Arsenal won 1-0 at Liverpool on Sunday, November 1, through Kai Havertz's 16th-minute goal.
- It ended a 14-year wait for a win at Anfield, a run Mikel Arteta mentioned before the game.
- Arsenal lead the Premier League on 24 points, three clear of Manchester City on 21. Liverpool stay on 15, nine behind.
- Liverpool had 17 shots and 56 percent of the ball, but did not put one shot on target.
Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday, November 1, their first win on the ground in 14 years, and moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League. Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the 16th minute. Liverpool had far more of the ball and 17 shots, yet none of them forced David Raya into a save.
Before kick-off, Mikel Arteta had named the wait directly: 14 years since Arsenal last won there, and time to do something about it. His side then spent most of the match protecting one early mistake by their hosts.
The wayward pass that decided it
The goal started with Alisson. The Liverpool goalkeeper's pass out from the back went astray, Arsenal won the ball, and Declan Rice drove a low delivery through the box. Havertz finished at the far post.
Liverpool's best replies came from set pieces and crosses. Florian Wirtz's free kick dipped over Raya and struck the woodwork shortly before half-time. Alexis Mac Allister headed over when unmarked, and Alexander Isak missed the home side's clearest opening. Raya also got to a knock-down from a Liverpool corner just ahead of Isak.
Arsenal were the more accurate side despite having less possession. Martin Odegaard came close to a second around the 70th minute, but his effort was cleared.
How the numbers looked at full time
| Stat | Liverpool | Arsenal |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0 | 1 |
| Possession | 56.4% | 43.6% |
| Total shots | 17 | 10 |
| Shots on target | 0 | 3 |
| Corners | 7 | 4 |
The match became bad-tempered in the second half. Six yellow cards were shown, to Liverpool's Bradley Barcola, Milos Kerkez and Mac Allister, and Arsenal's Noni Madueke, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Jurrien Timber. Timber and Mac Allister were booked together in the 80th minute after a heated clash.
Liverpool's selection also drew attention. Midfielder Trey Nyoni made his first start ahead of Ryan Gravenberch, and was later replaced by Dominik Szoboszlai as the home side chased the game. Rio Ngumoha came on for Cody Gakpo in the 67th minute.
What it does to the top of the table
| Pos | Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 9 | 24 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 9 | 21 |
| 3 | Brighton | 9 | 19 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 9 | 16 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 9 | 15 |
Arsenal have now won eight of their nine league games, losing the other. Liverpool have 15 points from nine and already sit nine points off the pace.
The result follows a weekend in which Chelsea won 2-0 against a Manchester United side that had Lisandro Martinez sent off, and that left United looking anxiously downward.
The round closes on Monday night, when Newcastle host Everton.
