Arsenal win at Liverpool to go three points clear at league summit

Arsenal recorded a first Premier League win at Anfield in 14 years but needed some help from Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker, whose first-half error led to Kai Havertz’s solitary goal in the 1-0 win.

Not since manager Mikel Arteta was running the Gunners’ midfield in 2012 had they tasted victory in the red half of Merseyside and they were tested to the limit in ending end that run.

However, if it is one thing Arteta’s side are well-drilled at it is seeing out games having maximized their opportunities and the celebrations in front of the visiting fans having moved top of the table showed how significant they felt this result was.

And while most of the football was played by Liverpool after going behind it did not bring any rewards – partly due to poor judgement and execution but also bad luck.

How Jurrien Timber’s tug on the shirt of Alexander Isak as he tried to connect with a header escaped the eagle eye of VAR will remain a question, especially as they were quick to look into a more regular coming together of Cody Gakpo and Christos Tzolis.

By then the hosts were already behind after another miscalculation by Alisson.

A week ago against Brighton the Brazil international had got away with a few loose passes in the win against Brighton. Arsenal were not so forgiving.

His attempted pass to Jeremy Jacquet gave the centre-back no chance of retaining possession and the loose ball was seized upon by Arsenal, who moved it the right where Noni Madueke and Declan Rice combined for Havertz to tap in at the far post.

The margins were always going to be tight in a match between the current champions, who have won all five league games when scoring the game’s first this season, and their predecessors and that one error proved to be the difference as for all their pressure Liverpool failed to test David Raya.

Much of that was down to the hosts’ lack of composure in the final third – Raya did not have to make a save – and Arsenal’s experience at doing the necessary dirty work to deny those opportunities.