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Rice hails Arsenal’s hard-fought win at Anfield as title-worthy performance
Arsenal beat Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield, with Declan Rice describing the hard-fought win as a performance of champions. The result moved Arsenal three points clear at the top of the Premier League and marked their first league victory at Anfield since 2012.
Rice assisted Kai Havertz’s 16th-minute goal and helped Arsenal withstand sustained pressure, while David Raya was booked for time-wasting late on. Liverpool argued that Jurrien Timber should have conceded a penalty for pulling Alexander Isak’s shirt; Dominik Szoboszlai said the decision was a turning point. Liverpool did not manage a shot on target in a Premier League home match for the first time since records began in 2003-04.
In short
- Arsenal won 1-0 at Anfield.
- Rice called it a champions’ performance.
- Liverpool had no shots on target.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Arsenal’s win can reasonably be seen as title-worthy because they scored early, then stayed organised and resilient under sustained pressure at a difficult ground. Rice’s contribution at both ends and their first league victory at Anfield since 2012 support the view that they showed the composure and resolve needed to sustain a title challenge.
The case against
A single hard-fought win does not by itself establish a title-winning standard, especially when Liverpool failed to register a shot on target and disputed a possible penalty for Timber’s pull on Isak. Liverpool’s view that the decision was a turning point is defensible, and Arsenal’s late time-wasting booking may reinforce the sense that they survived rather than controlled the contest.
Explained simply
Arsenal and Liverpool are two of English football’s leading clubs, and both compete in the Premier League, the country’s top division. Teams play each other home and away during the season, earning three points for a win and one for a draw; the club with the most points becomes champions.
Anfield is Liverpool’s home ground, where Arsenal had not won a league match since 2012. Declan Rice is an Arsenal midfielder, while Kai Havertz plays in attack; Alexander Isak and Dominik Szoboszlai are among Liverpool’s players. The result mattered to the title race because Arsenal were already competing for the top place, while Liverpool were also among the teams seeking to challenge.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “‘We had to dig in’: Arsenal’s Anfield win was performance of champions, says Rice”.