Arsenal Beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield as Havertz Scores After Alisson Error to Go Three Points Clear
Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday, November 1, in a Premier League Matchday 9 game. Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the 16th minute after a mistake from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson. The win took the Premier League champions three points clear at the top of the table. It was Arsenal's first league win at Anfield since September 2012.
The goal came from a rare error by Alisson. The Brazilian goalkeeper gave the ball away, and Arsenal quickly took advantage. Declan Rice picked it up on the right wing and sent a low cross to the back post. Havertz was waiting there and tapped it in. It was the German's first Premier League goal since the game against Chelsea on September 6. It was also a record-breaking goal, as it was his 46th in the Premier League and made him the highest-scoring German in the competition's history.
Havertz had been given the start up front ahead of Viktor Gyokeres. That came despite a poor showing in Tuesday's shock loss to Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup. Mikel Arteta's faith in him paid off straight away.
Liverpool had spells of pressure but could not find an equaliser. Head coach Andoni Iraola reverted to his strongest side after the midweek Carabao Cup win over Chelsea. He made seven changes from that game. Trey Nyoni was given his first Premier League start. Liverpool pushed hard in the second half but struggled to create clear chances. At the other end, Alisson made up for his earlier mistake with a superb save to deny Arsenal's Tzolis and keep the score at 1-0.
Arsenal had to defend for long stretches in the second half and held on for the win. At the final whistle, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was shown a yellow card for venting his anger at the referee. There were seven minutes of added time.
Arteta said his players had loved the mission of winning at Liverpool. He described the 1-0 win as a historic result. It was Arsenal's first win at Anfield in 14 league visits, a run that goes back to September 2012.
The result also meant a change at the top. Manchester City and Arsenal had been level on 21 points before the weekend. City then lost 1-0 at home to Brighton on Saturday. Arsenal's victory put them three points ahead of City at the top.