Liverpool fail to register a shot on target at Anfield for the first time in Premier League history
Liverpool failed to land a single shot on target at Anfield as Arsenal ground out a 1-0 win, a first for the Reds at home in the Premier League era.
Andoni Iraola's side attempted 17 shots on Sunday, according to Sky Sports, yet David Raya never had to make a save. Kai Havertz's tap-in in the 16th minute proved decisive.
Liverpool had never before played a Premier League match at Anfield without a shot on target, since the data was first collected in 2003/04. It came despite Andoni Iraola starting all of Liverpool's £100m+ recruits, as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola featured from the start.
The result handed Arsenal their first victory at Anfield since September 2012, a milestone Mikel Arteta celebrated after full-time, as the Spaniard hailed a 'historic' win.
Woodwork, wayward headers and no penalty
Liverpool's best moments came at the end of the first half. Florian Wirtz curled a free-kick onto the crossbar, and Alexis Mac Allister, unmarked, headed a Milos Kerkez cross over the bar.
After the break Isak fired over from a tight angle, while Ronald Araujo had an effort blocked by Arsenal bodies. Substitute Victor Munoz got his head to a Kostas Tsimikas cross late on, which was the hosts' last chance.
The biggest grievance was a first-half shirt pull by Jurrien Timber on Isak inside the box. The officials gave nothing, with both Iraola and Virgil van Dijk critical of the decision at full-time.
Arsenal's chances were limited but cleaner. Alisson produced a fine stop to deny Christos Tzolis in the second half.
By the closing stages, Liverpool were reduced to using Virgil van Dijk as an emergency centre-forward.
The defeat was Liverpool's second under Iraola and ended a five-game winning run in all competitions. It leaves them fifth, nine points behind Arsenal, who sit three clear of Manchester City at the top.
Iraola pointed to his side's slow start in his post-match briefing: "Overall, I think we have to blame especially the start of the game and until we conceded the goal."
