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Liverpool missed out on the opportunity to move into the top four in the Premier League as they were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday evening.
Andoni Iraola became the first manager since Brendan Rodgers to lose a league game at Anfield to the Gunners, with the last defeat coming in the 2012/13 campaign.
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Kai Havertz scored the winning goal for the away side when he tapped the ball into an empty net in the 16th minute after Declan Rice flashed a cross through the box.
It was a frustrating evening for the hosts because the Reds were unable to take advantage of the dominance that they had with the ball throughout the game.
How Liverpool's defeat to Arsenal unfolded
The reigning champions, as you would expect, started strongly and looked the better of the two sides before Havertz ghosted in at the back post to make it 1-0.
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After that, though, it was Liverpool who had all the momentum and looked the better team for the majority of the game, as they ended the match with more possession (56%), more shots (17), more final third entries (71), and more crosses (33) made.
Despite all of those statistics, the 1-0 loss to Arsenal is the first time in Premier League history that the Reds have failed to register a single shot on target at Anfield.
Iraola will be frustrated with the lack of quality that came from his attacking players, particularly when a defensive midfielder, Rice, provided the moment of quality for the away side.
How Declan Rice dominated Liverpool
Rice, who joined the Gunners from West Ham United for £105m in the summer of 2023, was a thorn in the side for Liverpool throughout the game because of how dominant he was on and off the ball.
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The Reds could not get anywhere near the England international at times in the game, as typified by how much space he had to put the cross in for the only goal of the game.
It was not just his energy and quality in possession that caught the eye, though, as it was his immense defensive work that played a big role in Liverpool's offensive struggles.
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Vs Liverpool Declan Rice
Minutes 90
Distance covered 11.5 km
Sprints 9
Defensive contributions 6
Tackles won 2
Ground duels won 4/7
Interceptions 1
Ball recoveries 3
What will not go down in the match statistics, either, is how many times he closed down space and pressured Liverpool players into either losing the ball or making the wrong decision, which is how he dominated the Reds both on and off the ball.
Dominated by Rice: Liverpool must drop 5/10 star
One of the players who fell victim to Rice's relentless pressure on Sunday was left-sided attacker Bradley Barcola, who struggled for most of the game.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
The France international, who joined from PSG for £123m in the summer, had a few nice touches in the first half, completing three of his six attempted dribbles and creating one chance, but it was not enough to make up for his all-round display.
Rice often dropped into a right-back berth to support Jurrien Timber defensively and he doubled up on the former Ligue 1 star to make him completely ineffective.
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Despite playing the full 90 minutes, Barcola came off the pitch without finding the target with his one shot on goal and did not create a single 'big chance' for a teammate.
The right-footed star did cut inside and whip an enticing cross into the box in the first half, but none of his teammates were able to get on the end of it.
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Vs Arsenal Bradley Barcola
Minutes 90
Touches 55
Possession lost 21x
Shots on target 0
Key passes 1
Big chances created 0
Ground duels won 5/15
Duels won 6/18
Barcola's use of the ball was not good enough on the whole in the match, as he lost possession 21 times without creating a 'big chance', and he was dominated off the ball, losing 12 of his 18 duels.
Rice dominated the Frenchman when he dropped in to support Timber, either tackling the winger or forcing him into giving possession away, and he was unable to find a solution to that situation.
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Despite providing an assist in the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in his last start before this clash with Arsenal, Barcola should now be dropped to the bench against Fenerbahce on Wednesday night.
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