Liverpool’s work in progress fizzles out in the face of streetwise champions | Andy Hunter

Afternoon began with talk of a title bid, but Arsenal looked more and more comfortable as the second half wore on

Andoni Iraola had swatted aside any question that veered in the direction of Liverpool’s title credentials his press conference on Friday with two simple words. “Too early,” he would respond. The Liverpool head coach was dismissive in terms of the stage of the season but, as Arsenal doggedly demonstrated, too early also applies to the development of his team.

Arsenal cavorted to the sound of fury at Anfield. At the final whistle Mikel Arteta leapt into the arms of the first-team coach Gabriel Heinze as he celebrated the release of his first win at Liverpool as Arsenal manager, his club’s first league victory at Anfield in 14 years and the champions moving three points clear at the top of the table. His players, tireless in the protection of Kai Havertz’s early winner, lined up to accept the acclaim from a jubilant away section. Anger filled the space around them.