Liverpool suffered a major blow as Kai Havertz's goal sealed a 1-0 Arsenal win at Anfield, with a nine-point gap leading national media to question whether the Reds can still challenge for honors

Arsenal will be Arsenal. Just as Liverpool appeared to be building a head of steam with five consecutive wins, the champions arrived at Anfield to emphatically illustrate how far the Reds still have to go before mounting a serious title challenge.

An early strike from Kai Havertz, followed by a resolute defensive display — and no shortage of theatrical tumbles — was enough for the Gunners to secure a slender 1-0 victory at a visibly frustrated Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Liverpool could have been awarded a penalty when Alexander Isak was pulled back by Jurrien Timber and Andoni Iraola questioned the decision.

"The Alex one is a clear penalty," Iraola told Sky Sports after the game. "You hold the shirt, we can all see that he holds the shirt. Because he doesn't go to the floor, you are not going to call the penalty. I don't understand it.

"That's the problem we have with the game. Because he doesn't dive and go to the floor. The fact that you are even asking me if he should go to the floor, if he goes to the floor, they call the penalty 100%.

"It should be like this but it is what it is. Next time, the managers should tell Alex to go to the floor, otherwise they won't call it."

Here is how the national press assessed what proved to be a turbulent afternoon for Andoni Iraola's side.

Paul Joyce - The Times - "Virgil van Dijk's explanation in the days preceding the fixture of how the principle of risk and reward lies at the heart of Andoni Iraola's energetic blueprint proved apt. Liverpool took the risk, Arsenal the reward.

"Alisson's misjudgment with the ball at his feet in the opening half was ruthlessly punished and became the defining act in a contest that ended with the visiting team back where they will feel they belong

"Afterwards, Arteta - who had been an Arsenal player the last time they triumphed in the league here, in September 2012 - described Liverpool as a 'top side' and it is true they breathlessly pursued parity.

"However, the reality is they did not force David Raya into a meaningful save during an afternoon in which Van Dijk spent the closing passages as an auxiliary striker."

Andy Hunter - The Guardian - "From Virgil van Dijk collecting a post-match booking for sarcastically applauding the referee, Andy Madley, to the jeers of the home crowd, enraged by the match officials and most of all by Arsenal's streetwise tactics, this was an infuriating evening for a team that had arrived with momentum and amid talk of a potential title challenge.

"There was only applause for Liverpool's players as they left the pitch in recognition of their effort and misfortune.

"The hosts should have had a penalty for Jurrien Timber tugging Alexander Isak's shirt and preventing him from connecting with a Bradley Barcola cross. Florian Wirtz struck the crossbar during Liverpool's brightest spell and Alexis Mac Allister squandered a free header from 10 yards out.

"But as the second half ticked by and Arsenal absorbed the pressure, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice to the fore, belief in Liverpool's powers of recovery faded."

Richard Jolly - The Independent - "The gap between them now stands at nine points. Even at this early stage, that looks insurmountable for Liverpool. If so, their title race may be run when the starting gun has barely been fired.

"Arsenal did become champions last season despite failing to score against Liverpool. In one respect, anyway, there will not be a repeat. Beaten 1-0 at Anfield last season, they got the opposite scoreline.

"It was not purely about defence. Arsenal committed plenty of players forward in the first half. They could have scored another. Guimaraes angled a shot wide. Jurrien Timber could not turn the ball in from close range. Alisson made amends in part with a terrific save to keep out Christos Tzolis' low curler."

Paul Gorst - Liverpool ECHO - "Despite the rush to reach a definitive conclusion on a weekly basis in the Premier League, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly where Liverpool are right now at this stage of their journey under Andoni Iraola.

"Over two months into the season, those with glasses half full will point towards a heartening rebuilding of a character that simply wasn't there last season. The Reds, by and large, are no longer a soft touch.

"Big-money signings have started to tentatively deliver and a run of five successive victories since the defeat to Manchester City has been enough to suggest that this is a project heading in the right direction."