Havertz and Rice Lead Arsenal to First Anfield Win Since 2012

Arsenal won at Anfield for the first time since 2012, and Kai Havertz's first-half goal was the moment that gave them the lead. The Premier League, England's top division, has rarely been kinder to the away side at Liverpool's ground in recent years.

Havertz finished after a move that started with a pass from Declan Rice. BBC Sport gave Rice a rating of 8 out of 10 and described him as Arsenal's best player. Ratings like these are the BBC's way of scoring each player's afternoon, and an 8 is a high mark.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson came in for the most blame. BBC Sport gave him a 4 and linked Havertz's goal to his poor pass out, the kick he takes from his hands to start an attack. Goalkeepers have a hard time when one error decides a match, and that is the kind of moment that stays with a crowd.

Liverpool had their chances too. Florian Wirtz, who was rated 6 by BBC Sport, struck the bar with a first-half free kick. A free kick is a shot taken from a stationary ball after a foul, and hitting the bar means the ball cracked against the crossbar, the horizontal top of the goal, instead of going in. Wirtz's effort could have changed the mood of the half, but it stayed out.

For Arsenal supporters, a win at Anfield after a wait of more than a decade is a moment to enjoy. For Liverpool, the day ends with questions about the first half and a goal that started with a mistake at the back. The sides meet again later in the season, when the fixture list gives them another chance to settle the score.

Liverpool FC had listed the match as a Premier League fixture at Anfield on 1 November 2026, and the club's own preview set the date and venue before kick-off.