Havertz ends Arsenal's Anfield hoodoo
Kai Havertz was the hero as Arsenal defeated Liverpool 1-0, securing its first Premier League win at Anfield in 14 years and leapfrogging Manchester City to go top of the table.
Havertz tapped Rice's centre home in the 16th minute, becoming the leading German goalscorer in Premier League history and giving Mikel Arteta's side a lead it would not relinquish.
Florian Wirtz hit the crossbar, and Alexis Mac Allister missed a glorious headed chance, but Liverpool faded as the contest went on and ultimately did not hit the target with any of its 17 shots.
While Arsenal now sits three points clear of City at the summit, Liverpool are nine points back of the leader in fifth.
There was no sign of an Arsenal hangover after its midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town, as it came flying out of the traps.
Alisson's loose pass out from the back gifted the Gunners possession, and after Bruno Guimaraes worked it right to Noni Madueke, Declan Rice overlapped and provided a pinpoint cross, from which Havertz could not miss.
Arsenal was extremely fortunate not to concede a penalty when Alexander Isak's shirt was pulled by Jurrien Timber, just as the Swede looked set to turn Bradley Barcola's cross home, though Havertz almost had a second goal when he slid in and missed Guimaraes centre.
After a lucky bounce off Ezri Konsa rescued David Raya, who was under pressure from Isak, Cody Gakpo saw another penalty appeal waved away, with Arsenal's goal now fully under siege.
The Gunners had two huge let-offs at the end of the first half, with Wirtz's free-kick rattling the crossbar and Mac Allister heading over when totally unmarked.
Isak sliced wide of Raya's near post from Liverpool's first chance of the second period, but the tempo of the game dropped as Arsenal sunk into a rigid block. And, as Andoni Iraola's men misfired, Arsenal went closer to scoring an insurance goal.
On his return from injury, Christos Tzolis saw a cutback cleared by Jeremy Jacquet just when Martin Odegaard was ready to sweep into the net, and the Greek later saw a smooth snap-shot palmed around past the post by Alisson.
Liverpool threw men forward in the latter stages, but never truly tested Raya as Arteta was able to celebrate a huge victory.
