Arsenal's miserly defence thwarted Liverpool at Anfield to send the Premier League champions three points clear at the top. 

Kai Havertz tapped in the winner from a fine Arsenal move 16 minutes in, with Alexis Mac Allister spurning Liverpool's best chance to equalise before the break. 

Wave after wave of attack from the home side came and went in the second period, although Andoni Iraola's men were unable to conjure many clear-cut chances, and they failed to have a single shot on target. 

The Gunners took advantage of Man City's defeat by Brighton on Saturday and now have clear water between themselves and the chasing pack.

So who shone the most on an attritional and potentially pivotal afternoon in the title race? 

Daily Mail Sport's LEWIS STEELE and ISAAN KHAN were in position at Anfield to run the rule over both sides... 

LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1):

Alisson - 6/10

A loose pass cost Liverpool and led directly to Arsenal’s goal but he made a phenomenal save on 73 minutes to deny Christos Tzolis.

Ronald Araujo - 5

Could he have done better to keep track of Kai Havertz for the winning goal? The German ghosted in at Araujo’s back post.

Jeremy Jacquet - 6

A few heavy touches early doors but the youngster settled in and made some important tackles.

Virgil van Dijk - 6

Made a last-ditch intervention on 71 minutes to prevent what looked certain to be Arsenal's second goal.

Milos Kerkez - 6 (Booked)

Threatened more than usual going forward and nearly had an assist, but a bad Alexis Mac Allister header flew over when he should have done far better.

Trey Nyoni - 6

Two fouls were lucky to go unpunished in the opening stages but Nyoni, on his first league start, soon settled and started to dictate from deep.

Alexis Mac Allister - 7 (Booked)

Had Liverpool’s best chance when unmarked in the box and the Argentine usually gobbles up those chances. Was Liverpool’s sharpest player.

Cody Gakpo - 5

Did an important defensive shift up against wildcard left-back Riccardo Calafiori, who is everywhere, but Gakpo did not offer enough threat the other way.

Florian Wirtz - 5

Another big game where fans would have wanted more. Some nice moments but he made the wrong decision too often.

Bradley Barcola - 7 (Booked)

Had a big opening just after Arsenal’s goal to make it 1-1 but a heavy touch let him down. Was Liverpool’s most dangerous asset in the first half, then looked tired late on.

Alexander Isak - 5

His honesty came back to bite him when he did not throw himself to ground in a first-half penalty shout. Did not impact proceedings enough otherwise.

SUBS:

Dominik Szoboszlai (for Nyoni, 58min) - 6

Rio Ngumoha (for Gakpo, 66min) - 5

Kostas Tsimikas (for Kerkez, 81min)

Victor Munoz (for Araujo, 81min)

Lewis Koumas (for Wirtz, 81min)

Manager:

Andoni Iraola - 6

His attackers got into dangerous positions but could not finish their dinner.

ARSENAL (4-2-3-1):

David Raya: 7

Accurate, fast distribution when under pressure from the Liverpool frontline. Consistently set Arsenal away on counter-attacks.

Jurrien Timber: 6

Looked overwhelmed at times and didn’t get forward as much as he’d have liked. Still, played his part in keeping the cleansheet.

Ezri Konsa: 8

Bailed out by Declan Rice for his errant pass on 18 minutes. After that, he barely put a foot wrong. Found himself in the right place at the right time defensively.

Gabriel: 7

Up for the fight in the bearpit atmosphere that is Anfield. Strong aerially and stayed switched on for darting runs of Isak.

Riccardo Calafiori: 8

A handful both in attack and defence. Made menacing runs into final third which the opposition found tricky to track.

Declan Rice: 9 (Man of the Match)

A complete, domineering display typified by a desire to break into attacking areas and clean up in midfield. Excellent cross to assist Havertz.

Bruno Guimaraes: 6

Aggressive in tackles and pressing. His wild scream towards the Anfield crowd after tackling Barcola set the tone. Yet the introduction of Myles Lewis-Skelly brought more control.

Noni Madueke: 7

Has now strung together a few promising displays after facing scrutiny. Direct and kept looking to take on Kerkez.

Martin Odegaard: 7

Led the press, which led to Havertz's goal. Tireless and his will didn’t peter, even when Liverpool enjoyed much possession.

Christos Tzolis: 6

Good effort by the Greek to accelerate his return to Arsenal’s squad after his injury woes. Curling effort on 73 minutes required a fantastic save.

Kai Havertz: 7

Simple finish from Rice’s excellent cross. Did his best to hold play up when in possession. Put in a vigorous shift off the ball.

Manager:

Mikel Arteta: 9

Arsenal win at Anfield for the first time in 14 years, and they kept a clean sheet. An excellent day’s work.

Substitutions: 

Myles Lewis-Skelly: 7

Piero Hincapie: N/A

Viktor Gyokeres: N/A

Mikel Merino: N/A

Referee:

Andy Madley - 4

Looked like a penalty for Timber's tug on Isak. Inconsistent usage of his yellow card.