Kai Havertz’s opener lifts Arsenal provisionally top after 1-0 win at Liverpool

Havertz decides a one-sided scoreline

Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield, with Kai Havertz’s 16th-minute goal settling the Premier League match. Declan Rice supplied the assist as Havertz made it 0-1, the only goal of the game.

Liverpool had more of the ball at 56% and produced 17 shots to Arsenal’s 10. They also recorded 14 shots inside the box, compared with Arsenal’s six, and held an expected-goals edge of 1.23 to 1.02. However, Liverpool had no shots on goal, while Arsenal had three, helping explain why their greater possession and volume did not produce an equaliser.

Arsenal protect the lead

The visitors absorbed Liverpool’s pressure after Havertz’s opener and finished with no goalkeeper saves required from Arsenal, while Liverpool’s goalkeeper made two. Arsenal’s discipline became a feature of the second half, with Noni Madueke, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Jurriën Timber and David Raya booked. Liverpool received three yellow cards, including those shown to Milos Kerkez and Alexis Mac Allister. Neither side received a red card.

E. Konsa was the standout performer, earning a 7.8 rating after 90 minutes and making five tackles. Havertz and Rice both received 7.7 ratings, with the scorer also recording a shot on target and Rice contributing two key passes.

Arsenal move top provisionally

Arsenal now have 24 points from nine games and are provisionally top of the Premier League, nine points ahead of Liverpool’s 15. The result changes Arsenal’s record to 8W 0D 1L, while Liverpool move to 4W 3D 2L. It extends Arsenal’s strong pre-match sequence of seven wins from their previous eight listed results and leaves Liverpool’s listed run at four wins, three draws and one loss across that span.