Andoni Iraola has set an unwanted record at Anfield following Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday
Liverpool Manager Andoni Iraola
Liverpool Manager Andoni Iraola
Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday, their first Premier League win at the ground in 14 years.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal in the 16th minute, tapping in Declan Rice’s low delivery at the back post. The move began when goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s short pass from a goal-kick was intercepted.
The result put Arsenal, the reigning champions, three points clear at the top of the table, with Liverpool fifth and nine points behind.
It was also Arsenal’s first victory in any competition at Anfield since September 2012, ending a run of 16 visits without a win.
Liverpool had 28 touches in Arsenal’s penalty area in the first half, the most by any team in an opening period against Arsenal since 2008-09. The pressure did not bring a goal.
Florian Wirtz curled a free-kick against the crossbar in the 39th minute. Four minutes later, Alexis Mac Allister headed Milos Kerkez’s cross over the bar from eight yards, unmarked.
Liverpool also had penalty appeals turned down. Jurrien Timber pulled Alexander Isak’s shirt as the forward leapt for a cross, but referee Andy Madley gave nothing and VAR Stuart Attwell did not intervene.
Head coach Andoni Iraola told Sky Sports it was “a clear penalty”. He was less concerned about Cody Gakpo’s appeal after a tussle with Christos Tzolis, and said he understood Arsenal’s argument on that one.
The scoreline did not show how much of the game Liverpool controlled. They had 17 shots, and none of them hit the target.
That was the first time since Opta records began in 2003-04 that Liverpool failed to register a shot on target in a Premier League game at Anfield, in what was their 442nd league match there in that period.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Liverpool’s approach after the match. He said he did not know about the shots-on-target statistic and called it “incredible”.
He added that it did not feel that way on the pitch, because Liverpool shoot often and Arsenal had to block shots and close down space.
Liverpool have now scored four league goals in five Anfield games this season.
It was the second straight meeting in which Arsenal kept Liverpool without a shot on target, after the 0-0 draw in January 2026.
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