Arsenal end 14-year Anfield wait with gritty 1-0 win over Liverpool

Arsenal won at Anfield for the first time in 14 years as Kai Havertz's first-half strike sealed a 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Sunday. The result moves the Gunners three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and nine points ahead of Liverpool, though the hosts were denied what appeared a clear penalty when Jurrien Timber tugged Alexander Isak's shirt.

  • Competition: Premier League
  • Venue: Anfield
  • Result: Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal
  • Goals: Kai Havertz 16'
  • Key moment: No penalty given for Timber's pull on Isak (21')
  • Table impact: Arsenal three points clear of Man City, nine ahead of Liverpool

What was said

"The Alex Isak one is a clear penalty. You hold the shirt; we can all see that he holds the shirt. The ball just goes one centimetre in front of Alex."

— Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola on the Timber incident

"The fact that you are even asking me that he should have gone to the floor, that's the thing. If he goes to the floor, they call the penalty. They call the penalty 100 per cent."

— Iraola on whether Isak should have gone down

"Yes, definitely. Alex is honest, he plays for the goal. It's a clear, clear pull."

— Iraola on instructing players to go down in future

"It feels better as a manager [to win at Anfield], because it's been such a long time. We really needed it. We're extremely proud, especially because of the conditions we arrive in the game after defeat to Fleetwood. We had to pick ourselves up."

— Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta

"This is the mission, which we hadn't completed for 14 years. We knew we needed to nail absolutely everything and navigate through periods where we suffer. They create chaos moments. It was very impressive and I'm very happy."

— Arteta on ending the Anfield record

"I had the feeling, now is the moment, we had to dig deep and have an element of luck at times. We had quality in key moments and we've done it."

— Arteta on the victory

"It was a defensive masterclass. Iraola will be upset, he'll feel like his team have given everything, but the champions have turned up in a season of uncertainty, sabotaged by the Man City saga."

— Gary Neville, Sky Sports

"They can only do the job they continue to do and that puts them right in the driving seat. What a tough place this is to play football and they've come and conquered it."

— Neville on Arsenal's title credentials

Iraola's frustration is understandable: the incident was pivotal. Had VAR intervened, Liverpool would have had a golden chance to cancel out Havertz's opener. Instead, the hosts were left to rue a string of missed opportunities. Arteta, meanwhile, framed the win as a testament to his side's resilience after their surprise defeat to Fleetwood in the cup.

The numbers

  • Shots: Liverpool 17, Arsenal not specified
  • Shots on target: Liverpool 0 — first time on record they have failed to land a single shot on target at home
  • Liverpool league goals at Anfield this season: 4 in 5 outings
  • Havertz's German goals record: 46 Premier League goals, overtaking Ilkay Gundogan as the division's top-scoring German
  • Table gap: Arsenal 3 points clear of Man City, 9 clear of Liverpool

Defensive masterclass: How Arsenal stifled Liverpool

Arsenal's backline, marshalled by Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, produced a disciplined display that frustrated Liverpool's attack. Despite Liverpool's 17 shots, goalkeeper David Raya was rarely tested — none of those efforts forced him into a save. Florian Wirtz struck the crossbar with a free-kick, and Alexis Mac Allister headed over from eight yards when unmarked, encapsulating the hosts' wastefulness.

The only goal came from a moment of quality: Declan Rice's precise cross found Kai Havertz at the back post, and the German steered home. That proved enough for Arteta's side, who managed the game expertly after taking the lead. The midfield trio of Rice, Martin Zubimendi (if fit) and Mikel Merino (if selected) — though the source does not specify the exact lineup — likely provided the platform for Arsenal's control. Note: Line-ups were not provided in the source article.

Liverpool's attacking threat was blunted by Arsenal's organisation, and the penalty shout will dominate discussion. Timber's pull on Isak was not spotted by officials, and Jamie Carragher told VAR to "do its job". Iraola's side must now find a way to convert possession and pressure into goals, having scored just four league goals in five home games this season.

Talking points

  • Should VAR have awarded Liverpool a penalty for Timber's shirt pull on Isak? The incident was clear and could have changed the game's outcome.
  • Is Arsenal's defensive approach sustainable for a title challenge? They conceded 17 shots but faced none on target, highlighting both resilience and luck.
  • Liverpool's attacking woes at Anfield: just four league goals in five home games is a worrying trend for Iraola's side.
  • Kai Havertz's record as the top-scoring German in Premier League history: does this milestone signal a new level for the forward?

What happens next

Arsenal will look to build on this statement win as they continue their title charge, while Liverpool must regroup quickly to address their home form. The three-point gap at the top gives the Gunners a psychological edge in the race with Manchester City. Next up for both sides is a crucial run of fixtures that could define their seasons — check back for live coverage and analysis on LA Premier League.

Frequently asked questions

Did Arsenal win at Anfield?

Yes, Arsenal won 1-0 at Anfield for the first time in 14 years, with Kai Havertz scoring the only goal.

Why was Liverpool not given a penalty against Arsenal?

Jurrien Timber pulled Alexander Isak's shirt in the first half, but the officials did not spot the foul and VAR did not intervene.

Who scored Arsenal's goal against Liverpool?

Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game in the 16th minute, converting a cross from Declan Rice.

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