Arsenal beat Liverpool and top the Premier League — first away win over their rivals in 14 years

Havertz gave Arsenal victory at Anfield

Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League by beating Liverpool 1-0 away — the Gunners' first away win over Liverpool in 14 years, AFP reports. The only goal was scored by Kai Havertz in the 16th minute, finishing off a low pass from Declan Rice.

A response to the League Cup exit and Liverpool's pressure

The win was a response to a painful midweek defeat: on Tuesday the defending champions were knocked out of the League Cup, losing to fourth-tier side Fleetwood — according to AFP, one of the biggest upsets in the competition's history. Mikel Arteta harshly criticised the team after that match and got the desired reaction in a strong start. Havertz, one of the main culprits behind the squandered chances in midweek, redeemed himself with a goal.

Iraola and Arteta: old acquaintances from the Basque Country

After conceding, Liverpool produced, in AFP's words, perhaps the best spell of Andoni Iraola's first months — about half an hour of frantic pressure, but they failed to convert their chances. For the Spaniard it was only his second defeat in 14 matches since arriving from Bournemouth. Iraola and Arteta played together as children for the Basque club Antiguoko Kirol Elkartea, and Arteta's old friend made life extremely uncomfortable for the hosts in one of the most awkward matches of recent seasons: Arsenal's defence barely held on until half-time.

Chances and Alisson's saves

Three Liverpool forwards worth more than £100 million each started the match, and the trio of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola, as AFP observed, is beginning to build an understanding. Wirtz hit the crossbar from a free kick, Alexis Mac Allister missed a clear chance with a header, and Jurrien Timber held off Isak in a dangerous position. For the visitors, Bruno Guimaraes shot wide on the counter-attack, while Timber accidentally blocked Noni Madueke's cross when Havertz was waiting for the ball. In the second half Alisson Becker made a spectacular save, pushing Christos Tzolis's shot away from the bottom corner, but it could not save the hosts.

The table: the gap over City and Liverpool's deficit

Arsenal opened up a three-point lead over Manchester City, recording their eighth win in nine league games and another clean sheet. AFP notes the context: City are expected to face a serious points deduction if they fail to overturn the verdict of guilt on more than 100 charges of breaching Premier League rules. After the defeat Liverpool remained fifth and are now nine points behind the leader — in the agency's assessment, getting back into the title race is becoming a mountain to climb for the team.