VAR ticked off a clear jersey tug from Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber on Liverpool striker Alexander Isak in the first half of Arsenal's 1-0 win at Anfield. ( Sky Sports Premier League )
Arsenal has claimed a 1-0 win against Liverpool at Anfield, its first victory at the Merseyside venue since 2012.
Kai Havertz put the reigning Premier League champions ahead in the 16th minute before Liverpool were denied a first-half penalty despite a clear shirt pull from Jurrien Timber on Alexander Isak.
Arsenal now holds a three-point lead ahead of Manchester City at the top of the EPL table and faces Hull City at home next weekend.
Arsenal has returned to the top of the English Premier League after ending a 14-year drought at Anfield with a 1-0 win over Liverpool in a match involving another VAR drama.
Arsenal striker Kai Havertz tapped in from Declan Rice's low cross in the 16th minute after the hosts were caught trying to play the ball out of their defence.
Liverpool responded strongly as half-time approached and were denied a penalty when Jurrien Timber held Alexander Isak while Isak attempted a header from a cross.
Despite replays showing a clear tug on Isak's jersey, the VAR deemed the incident to not be a foul, much to the dismay of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
"I think it was also clear penalty. I've seen it back," he said after the game.
Isak did not appeal for a penalty and van Dijk hit back when asked whether his teammate should have made more of the jersey tug in order for the VAR to notice it.
"Doesn't notice it? We have 50 cameras, if there is not even more. Why do you have to complain when there's so many cameras?" he said.
"It is spotted, isn't it? Because everyone's seen it. But yeah, in the end, obviously, it wasn't given, and we lose the game, unfortunately."
There were more gilt-edged chances for Liverpool before the half-time interval as Florian Wirtz curled a free kick against the crossbar while Alexis Mac Allister missed a wide-open header while completely unmarked inside the penalty box.
But Arsenal weathered the storm and defended superbly to keep Liverpool largely at arm's length after the break and seal their first Premier League win at Anfield for 14 years.
Kai Havertz's first-half strike proved to be the difference as Arsenal climbed back to the top of the Premier League table. ( David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images )
Mikel Arteta's side replaced Manchester City at the top with 24 points from nine games, with City on 21 after losing at home to Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, their second successive league defeat after winning their first seven.
Liverpool's second league defeat of the season left them nine points behind Arsenal in fifth place.
For all Liverpool's huff and puff they failed to register an effort on target as Arsenal smothered their hosts with the kind of gritty away display that has become Arteta's blueprint.
