Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool 'shot themselves in the foot' during their 1-0 Premier League defeat to Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, with the Reds icon speaking about the title race

Steven Gerrard has declared that Liverpool 'shot themselves in the foot' during their loss to Arsenal in the Premier League. The Reds icon also offered his thoughts on his former side's title aspirations, suggesting they face considerable challenges if they harbour ambitions of competing for the championship.

Arsenal secured a 1-0 triumph over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, with Kai Havertz converting from close range to finish off a move that stemmed from Alisson Becker's clearance resulting in the Reds surrendering possession.

Liverpool currently sit in fifth position in the Premier League standings and will take on Crystal Palace at the weekend in their final fixture before the November international break commences.

Andoni Iraola's side entered the Arsenal clash having secured victories in their preceding two Premier League outings against Brentford and Brighton, and will be eager to respond when they meet Fenerbahce in the Champions League during the week.

Gerrard has shared his assessment of Liverpool's display, outlining what he believes must alter for the club to mount a title challenge, while also delivering his opinion on Arsenal, reports the Liverpool Echo.

"They [Liverpool] shot themselves in the foot, because there was no need to concede that early goal," Gerrard said on Monday's episode of The Overlap.

"But they had the [Alexis] Mac Allister chance to get level, and obviously the penalty incident is big. Alisson makes a save.

"I thought, on the balance of the whole game, 1-0 would have been a fair result, but credit to Arsenal.

"That's how you win leagues, going to places like Liverpool, being strong, sticking together, and putting in a different type of performance, which was full of grit and fight and togetherness, and they got over the line."

"And they will know that come the end of the season, if they win the league, which I think they will, I haven't changed my mind from the beginning of the season, they will look back at that more than your four or five-nils where they look fantastic, because I'm sure they will at times.

"They'll look at that and think, we went to Anfield, tough crowd to play against, tough Liverpool performance, Andoni Iraola's got this Liverpool team playing an awful lot better, Liverpool played well and we managed to get out of there with three points.

"Could be huge for Arsenal. At this moment in time, nine points behind for Liverpool. So, Liverpool have got work to do if they want to challenge. But this Arsenal team just look as if they can beat teams in different ways. I think that could be the difference."