LIVERPOOL (The Thursday Times) — Kai Havertz scored the only goal as Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 on Sunday to win a Premier League match at Anfield for the first time since 2012 and move to the top of the table.
The goal came in the 16th minute and started with a Liverpool mistake. Arsenal won the ball back as goalkeeper Alisson tried to play out from a goal-kick, Declan Rice ran on to it down the right, and his low cross found Havertz alone at the back post to tap in.
The champions now lead by three points from Manchester City, who lost at Brighton on Saturday, and are nine clear of Liverpool. The goal was Havertz’s 46th in the league, the most by a German player in Premier League history, ahead of Ilkay Gundogan.
Liverpool had 17 attempts but could not find a way past David Raya. Florian Wirtz hit the crossbar with a free-kick in the first half and Alexis Mac Allister headed over unmarked from Milos Kerkez’s cross. They also had strong penalty appeals turned down when Jurrien Timber pulled Alexander Isak’s shirt.
It was the second defeat for Liverpool under Andoni Iraola, who gave 19-year-old Trey Nyoni his first Premier League start among seven changes from the midweek Carabao Cup win over Chelsea. Liverpool have scored only four league goals in five home games this season.
