Arsenal End 14-Year Anfield Wait With 1-0 Win Over Liverpool
Arsenal sealed a long-awaited victory against Liverpool at Anfield thanks to a Kai Havertz goal in the Premier League.
Havertz put the reigning Premier League champions ahead with a tap-in from a Declan Rice cross.
Despite plenty of chances for Liverpool after going behind, including a free kick sent onto the bar by Florian Wirtz, they were unable to stop Arsenal securing a first win at Anfield for 14 years.
Rice: “You Can Only Take the Table Seriously in February or March”
Arsenal claimed a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League with the win, but Declan Rice told Sky Sports he is paying little attention to it.
“I’ve learned that you can only take the table seriously in February or March,” he said.
“If you’re there or thereabouts then, you’re in with a shout. Anything between now and then, you’ve got to win as many as you can.”
Havertz: “It Means a Lot”
Arsenal matchwinner Kai Havertz also spoke to Sky Sports and echoed Rice’s praise for the team’s defending.
“I think it means a lot to our football club. It’s important to our fans. That’s what they deserve, and I think we’re all happy that we gave it to them,” Havertz said.
“I think we all know what this stadium is about, what the fans here are about, and they have big players — top players. We knew what was coming for us in the game but we all stuck together and defended together, and there were tough moments for sure. But we overcame them.”
Rice on Withstanding the Anfield Pressure
Rice also spoke about the way his side withstood waves of Liverpool attacks to claim victory.
“That’s the Anfield way, that’s what this Liverpool team can do, this is what this stadium does to you, it just creates waves and waves after attack, and you have to withstand it, especially with the attack that they’ve got and the quality that they have,” he said.
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. We’ve not won here in 14 years. We got off to a very good start, could have probably managed the game better, but like I said, it was relentless attacks.
“We could have probably done a little bit more as well in front of goal, but in the end, that defensive line, the way we stick together, that togetherness we have is like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
Joy for Arsenal
The joyous celebrations at the final whistle told their own story. The players embraced, Mikel Arteta punched the air and there were hugs and leaps of delight. That one meant a lot.
The Arsenal analysts watching from the press box punched the air and embraced. On the touchline, Arteta celebrated with his staff. Arsenal had won a Premier League match at Anfield for the first time in 14 years.
Lack of Ruthlessness Costs Liverpool
At times in the first half, Liverpool battered Arsenal. But they could not find a way through the defence.
In the second half, the frustration got the better of them as Arsenal defended superbly. Havertz’s early goal settled it in the end, and Arsenal have a three-point lead at the top of the table.
What This Means
The win marks a significant psychological breakthrough for Arsenal, who have struggled at Anfield for over a decade. It also sends a strong message in the title race, with Arsenal moving three points clear at the summit. For Liverpool, the defeat highlights a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal, despite dominating large spells of the match.