Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday 1 November 2026, with Kai Havertz scoring the only goal of the Premier League match in the 16th minute. The result carried extra weight at the top of the table: before kick-off, Manchester City and Arsenal both had 21 points, with Liverpool on 15, so the win lifted Arsenal to 24 points and above City.

Havertz punishes Liverpool's early error

The breakthrough came from a Liverpool mistake at the back. According to NBC Sports' live coverage, a wayward pass from goalkeeper Alisson Becker allowed Declan Rice to drill a low ball across the box, which Havertz finished at the far post. TNT Sports' account of the move also credited Martin Odegaard with winning the ball back and Rice with the cross that found Havertz. Either way, it was a ruthless piece of attacking play, and NBC noted it was Rice's fifth Premier League assist of the season — the best in the division at that stage.

Liverpool push, but cannot find a way through

Liverpool responded strongly and created the clearer chances for much of the rest of the match. Florian Wirtz curled a free kick against the crossbar, Alexis Mac Allister headed an unmarked chance over the bar from close range, and David Raya was forced into a late intervention to beat Alexander Isak to a knocked-down header from a corner. Sky Sports' live page recorded the match as Liverpool 0, Arsenal 1, with Havertz's 16th-minute strike the difference, and NBC's half-time statistics showed Liverpool with 56% possession and eight shots to Arsenal's five — yet still trailing.

What the result means

For Arsenal, this was a statement win away from home against a direct rival, built on defensive resilience after taking an early lead. For Liverpool, the frustration will be the gap between their attacking pressure and their finishing, having done enough to trouble Arsenal repeatedly without scoring. With the title race this tight, a single moment — one misplaced pass, one calm finish at the far post — proved decisive at Anfield.

Sources: Sky Sports; NBC Sports.