Liverpool vs Arsenal: Havertz Strike Wins It, Report

Kai Havertz scored the only goal as Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday 1 November 2026. This report covers the goal, line-ups, statistics and the table.

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by South African Matchday Editorial

1 week ago 76

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Liverpool vs Arsenal finished 1-0 to the visitors on Sunday 1 November 2026, with Kai Havertz scoring after only 16 minutes at Anfield. Liverpool then had 17 shots but did not hit the target once, so Arsenal left Merseyside with all three points. This report follows our Liverpool vs Arsenal preview and covers the goal, the line-ups, the numbers and the table.

What was the final score in Liverpool vs Arsenal?

Arsenal won 1-0, and the only goal came in the first quarter of an hour. The match kicked off at 18:30 South African time (16:30 GMT) at Anfield, and Andrew Madley refereed it. It was round nine of the Premier League season, so the result lifts Arsenal to 24 points from nine games. Meanwhile, Liverpool stay on 15 points and sit fifth.

Who scored in Liverpool vs Arsenal?

Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the 16th minute, set up by Declan Rice. First, Arsenal won the ball in midfield, and then Rice found Havertz in the box. Havertz finished, and Liverpool never recovered from that early deficit.

Consequently, Arsenal spent the remaining 74 minutes protecting the lead. In addition, they kept their shape well, even though Liverpool saw more of the ball. As a result, Mikel Arteta’s side collected a sixth straight league win in our records, following wins over Forest and Everton.

How did the match unfold?

Liverpool pushed for an equaliser all afternoon, but Arsenal defended in numbers and counted on quick breaks. Bradley Barcola was booked in first-half stoppage time for Liverpool, and Noni Madueke followed him into the book for Arsenal in the 55th minute. After that, the visitors made their first change in the 62nd minute, when Myles Lewis-Skelly replaced Bruno Guimarães.

Liverpool brought on Dominik Szoboszlai for Treymaurice Nyoni in the 58th minute, and Rio Ngumoha replaced Cody Gakpo in the 67th. Milos Kerkez was booked in that same minute. Later, Lewis-Skelly and Alexis Mac Allister both received yellow cards, in the 72nd and 80th minutes. Jurriën Timber was also booked in the 80th.

The late changes came in a rush. Konstantinos Tsimikas replaced Kerkez, Víctor Muñoz replaced Ronald Araújo and Lewis Koumas replaced Florian Wirtz, all in the 81st minute. Arsenal then used Piero Hincapié for Christos Tzolis and Viktor Gyökeres for Havertz in the 84th, and Mikel Merino for Martin Ødegaard in the 88th. Finally, David Raya and Virgil van Dijk were booked in stoppage time.

What did the match statistics show?

Liverpool controlled the ball and the shot count, yet Arsenal were far more efficient. Liverpool had 56 percent possession and 17 shots, but none of them was on target. Arsenal had 10 shots and put three on target, and that was enough to win.

Besides that, Liverpool completed 380 of 464 passes, compared with 269 from 372 for Arsenal. The expected-goals figures were close, at 1.12 for Liverpool and 1.02 for Arsenal. However, Liverpool had nine shots blocked and eight go off target, while 14 of their 17 shots came from inside the box. Alisson Becker made two saves, and David Raya did not need to make a single one.

Liverpool won seven corners to Arsenal’s four, yet Arsenal committed fewer fouls (10 against 18). Each side collected four yellow cards, and nobody was sent off.

Which line-ups did Liverpool and Arsenal start with?

Both teams started in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Andoni Iraola named Alisson in goal, with Araújo, Jacquet, Van Dijk and Kerkez in defence. Mac Allister and Nyoni sat in midfield, and Gakpo, Wirtz and Barcola supported Alexander Isak. In contrast, Arteta picked Raya behind a back four of Timber, Konsa, Gabriel Magalhães and Calafiori. Rice and Guimarães formed the midfield pair, with Madueke, Ødegaard and Tzolis behind Havertz.

Liverpool’s bench included Ngumoha, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Gomez, Tsimikas, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Koumas and Muñoz. Arsenal’s substitutes were Martín Zubimendi, Gyökeres, Kepa, Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Hincapié, Lewis-Skelly, Eberechi Eze and Merino. Therefore, both coaches had strong options, but only one goal separated the sides.

How have Liverpool and Arsenal been playing recently?

Arsenal arrived with momentum, while Liverpool had won four of their previous five games in all competitions. Liverpool beat Lask Linz 6-3 away on 14 October, Brentford 2-1 away on 17 October, Villarreal 4-3 at home on 20 October and Brighton 2-0 on 25 October. Our Liverpool vs Brighton report covers the last of those. A 1-1 draw with Chelsea in the League Cup on 28 October came in between.

Arsenal, meanwhile, beat Lille 3-0 on 13 October, won 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on 18 October, drew 2-2 at Bayern on 21 October and beat Everton 2-0 on 24 October. Our Bayern vs Arsenal report covers the Munich draw. They then drew 1-1 at Fleetwood Town in the League Cup on 27 October.

The head-to-head was tight before this game. In our records, the previous four league meetings were 2-2 in October 2024, 2-2 in May 2025, 1-0 to Liverpool in August 2025 and 0-0 in January 2026. As a result, Sunday’s win is Arsenal’s first over Liverpool in that run.

What does the result mean for the Premier League table?

Arsenal lead the table on 24 points, three clear of Manchester City, who have 21. Arsenal have won eight of their nine games, lost one, and own a goal difference of plus nine. Liverpool are fifth on 15 points after four wins, three draws and two defeats, with a goal difference of plus two.

Brighton are third on 19 points and Chelsea are fourth on 16, so Liverpool trail the top four by one point. To follow every score, use our live scores page and the Premier League hub. For the official fixtures and standings, see the Premier League website.