Liverpool’s five-match winning run came to an end at Anfield as Arsenal secured a 1-0 victory, punishing a difficult opening spell before surviving a series of opportunities to extend their lead.

Kai Havertz’s 16th-minute finish separated the sides, with Liverpool unable to find a response despite improving considerably towards the end of the first half and creating opportunities after the interval.

For Andoni Iraola, it was a frustrating afternoon. His side showed enough attacking intent to suggest they could get something from the contest, but their inability to take their chances proved costly against opponents who were more comfortable managing the game.

Arsenal began with greater control, enjoying the majority of possession and repeatedly finding ways to move Liverpool around. The hosts struggled to establish a foothold, with Cody Gakpo’s early effort, after being played through by Alexander Isak, their clearest opportunity during the opening exchanges.

The visitors’ pressure eventually told. Noni Madueke found Declan Rice, whose low delivery across the penalty area was turned home by Havertz. It was a straightforward finish, but Liverpool’s inability to deal with the danger in the first place left them with a deficit to overcome.

Arsenal continued to threaten. Bruno Guimarães flashed an effort across goal after another dangerous Madueke attack, while Rice was denied by Alisson following a scramble inside the Liverpool penalty area. The goalkeeper’s earlier error had put his side behind, but he was required to prevent the situation from becoming worse.

Liverpool needed a response, and gradually found one.

The hosts began to increase their intensity, putting Arsenal under greater pressure and creating problems from a succession of set-pieces. Virgil van Dijk came close from a Gakpo corner, with David Raya producing an important touch to divert the ball away from Isak.

Alexis Mac Allister then fired wide from distance before Isak dragged an effort across goal after making space inside the penalty area.

The clearest sign of Liverpool’s growing confidence came from Wirtz. The German stepped up to a free-kick and produced a superb curling effort that beat Raya but crashed against the crossbar. Anfield was beginning to believe an equaliser was coming.

Mac Allister should have provided it. Milos Kerkez delivered an excellent cross into the penalty area, finding the midfielder unmarked, but his free header sailed over the crossbar. It was a significant opportunity to level the contest before the interval.

Liverpool went into the break behind, but with considerably more encouragement than they had enjoyed during the opening half-hour.

The second half offered another opportunity to turn that momentum into something tangible. Wirtz released Isak with a lovely pass, giving the striker a clear route towards goal, but his finish was wildly off target. It was a huge chance, and one Liverpool could ill afford to waste.

Arsenal remained dangerous whenever they found space to break. Martin Ødegaard failed to capitalise on a promising opening after Christos Tzolis squared the ball into the penalty area, giving Liverpool another escape.

Alisson then produced an excellent save to deny Tzolis, getting across sharply to turn a first-time effort around the post. It was an important intervention from the Brazilian, who had endured a mixed afternoon after his part in the opening goal.

Liverpool continued searching for a way back. Araujo threatened at the far post, although his effort lacked the direction to trouble Raya, while the goalkeeper was again required to preserve Arsenal’s advantage in stoppage time.

A cross found Muñoz at the back post, but his header was kept out by Raya, with Riccardo Calafiori doing enough to make the opportunity more difficult.

It was Liverpool’s final significant chance to rescue a point. Arsenal held on, leaving Anfield with all three points and bringing the hosts’ winning sequence to a close.

There will be frustration for Iraola, particularly given the opportunities his side created after falling behind. Wirtz struck the crossbar, Mac Allister missed a free header and Isak failed to convert a clear opening after the interval.

Those moments ultimately defined the contest. Liverpool had worked their way back into the game after a difficult start, but against the reigning champions, the margin for wasted opportunities was always going to be small.

The result is a setback for Liverpool’s developing project under Iraola. Their recent run had restored momentum, but Arsenal demonstrated the level of consistency and ruthlessness required to compete at the top of the Premier League.

Liverpool will have to respond quickly. The performance contained enough positive moments to suggest progress has not disappeared, but the points have gone — and the missed chances will make this defeat particularly difficult to swallow.