Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield — six takeaways

Arsenal defeated Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield in a Premier League Matchday 9 fixture on Sunday, November 1, 2026, with Kai Havertz scoring in the 16th minute. The contest featured multiple penalty appeals, a first Premier League start for 19-year-old Trey Nyoni and sustained pressure from Liverpool after the opener.

Liverpool had registered four clean sheets in the league since September, the most of any Premier League side across that period, but that defensive run collapsed within 15 minutes under minimal pressure. A misdirected pass from Alisson was intercepted by Martin Odegaard, the move progressed to Declan Rice and Havertz finished for the opener. Arsenal had been dealing with news that Bukayo Saka might not return before the international break because of a quadriceps issue, and Noni Madueke deputised on the right flank, combining with Jurrien Timber throughout the match; the report noted Madueke’s outing "will present a real headache for Mikel Arteta when Saka returns."

After going behind, Liverpool searched for an equaliser with sustained forward play. Alexis Mac Allister came close and Florian Wirtz hit the bar, but Arsenal maintained their one-goal lead into half-time. The second half remained competitive with chances for both teams, though the visitors held firm to complete the victory.

Liverpool had several first-half penalty appeals involving Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister that were dismissed by the referee. A separate incident saw Alexander Isak’s jersey appear to be held by Jurrien Timber when contesting a header; the referee did not penalise the challenge and VAR did not intervene. The report commented, "If Isak falls on the floor, that would be given as a stonewall penalty."

Andoni Iraola selected 19-year-old Trey Nyoni for his first Premier League start, and Nyoni recorded the most touches (60) during his spell on the pitch, circulating possession and enabling Mac Allister and Wirtz to advance. Nyoni was replaced before the hour mark by Dominik Szoboszlai.

Alexander Isak had entered the fixture on the back of six goals in his last six league matches, accounting for two-thirds of his team's recent goals, but he was quiet at Anfield. Isak registered two shots, both off target, and had just three touches inside Arsenal’s penalty area, with Ezri Konsa sticking close to him for much of the match.

The victory was Arsenal’s first at Anfield in their last 14 matches. It also represented Liverpool’s first home defeat to the reigning Premier League champions since December 2007, and Arsenal became the first team to prevent Liverpool from having a single shot on target at Anfield.