Howlers from Virgil van Dijk and Alisson end Liverpool’s hopes of getting Premier League points record as Arsenal earn unlikely victory at Emirates
Rare mistakes from Virgil van Dijk and Alisson compounded a rusty Liverpool to their third defeat of the season as Arsenal ended their hopes of breaking the Premier League points record.
Having been humiliated by Tottenham at the weekend, the Gunners were desperate to put on a good show against the champions.
And they did just that as strikes from Alexandre Lacazette and Reiss Nelson put the Reds' hopes of beating City's 100-point 'Centurions' of the 2017/18 season to an end.
Mikel Arteta's men couldn't have got off to a worse start, however, with some wayward passing resulting in Sadio Mane tapping home Andy Robertson's pinpoint cross after 20 minutes.
Van Dijk, a leading contender for Player of the Season, has rightly been praised for his performances at the heart of the Liverpool defence, but he gifted Arsenal an equaliser.
The Netherlands international was pressed by Nelson and passed the ball straight into the path of Lacazette, who was left with a simple finish to haul the hosts level.
Things went from bad to worse for the Liverpool defence when goalkeeper Alisson looked to play out from the back but only picked out an alert Lacazette.
The Frenchman once again combined with Nelson, who smartly finished to give Arsenal the lead.
Ultimately, despite having 79 per cent of possession in the second-half, Jurgen Klopp's all-conquering side were powerless to find an equaliser and prevent a third defeat of the season.
Arsenal leapfrogged Burnley to ninth in the Premier League standings following the victory, with the Clarets drawing with Wolves earlier in the evening.