Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 to go three points clear at top

Arsenal claimed a statement victory at Anfield on Sunday, beating Liverpool 1-0 to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League and end a 14-year wait for a win at the famous ground.

Kai Havertz scored the only goal after 16 minutes, converting a low cross from Declan Rice when Liverpool were caught trying to play out from the back. According to Al Jazeera, Arsenal had not won at Anfield since September 2012, when current manager Mikel Arteta captained the side to a 2-0 success, and had gone winless in their previous 13 visits.

The home side responded strongly, with Florian Wirtz curling a free kick against the crossbar and Alexis Mac Allister heading a good chance over. But Arsenal’s defence held firm, denying Liverpool a single shot on target despite the hosts recording 17 attempts on goal.

The result lifts Arsenal to 24 points from nine matches, three ahead of Manchester City, who lost at home to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday. Liverpool’s second league defeat of the campaign leaves them in fifth place, nine points behind the leaders.

“Disappointment,” Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk said afterwards. “We play at home; we had some opportunities. We tried everything. It wasn't enough today.” Havertz told reporters: “This means a lot to the whole football club, and it's been 14 years; that is a crazy stat.”

Arsenal have now kept clean sheets in six of their nine league games this season and head into their midweek Champions League tie away to Slavia Prague in fine form. Liverpool will look to bounce back at Fenerbahce.