Havertz's 16th-minute goal was enough for Arsenal at Anfield

Arsenal won 1-0 at Anfield with less of the ball and fewer chances than usual, while Liverpool had plenty of shots but none on target.

Liverpool took 17 shots at Anfield and not one of them was on target, yet Arsenal left with all three points. Kai Havertz scored in the 16th minute from a pass by Declan Rice, and that single goal settled it. A shot on target is one that reaches the frame of the goal, so the keeper has to stop it or it goes in. Nine of Liverpool's efforts were blocked before they could reach the goal at all.

Arsenal had three shots on target, and that was enough. Alisson Becker made two saves for Liverpool, the only real work the home keeper had to do. For a side that spent most of the afternoon without the ball, Arsenal used their few openings well.

Liverpool had 56% of the ball, a little above their usual 53.3% at home. Their expected goals figure of 1.23 was almost exactly their normal 1.2. Expected goals, or xG, adds up how likely each shot was to go in, judging by where and how it was taken. So Liverpool were not creating better openings than usual, only more of them.

Arsenal were the reverse. They had 44% of the ball, well short of their away average of 61%, and took 10 shots against a usual 12.9. Their expected goals of 1.02 was also below their normal 1.57, so the win came with less of almost everything they usually produce away from home.

The league average works out at 13.5 shots per team and 2.8 goals per match. This game produced one goal in total, far under that figure, while Liverpool's 17 shots were above the average and Arsenal's 10 were below it. Those numbers describe a match where the chances were spread unevenly and one of them was taken.

The game was untidy in its own way, with seven yellow cards and no red. Liverpool made five changes, three of them at 81 minutes, while Arsenal made four, the last of them at 88. Both benches were busy long before the final whistle, and neither side added to the scoreline.

Arsenal have won seven of their eight league matches and sit second in the table on 21 points. Liverpool are fifth on 15 points, and this was their first home defeat of the season in the league.

Player of the matchK. Havertz1 goal7.7

D. Rice1 assist7.7

E. Konsa8 duels won7.2

T. Nyoni1 duels won7.2