Anfield Penalty Controversy: Virgil van Dijk Fumes at VAR Following Decisive Snub

The Spaniard guided his side to the Gunners' first victory at Anfield since September 2012 on Sunday. Kai Havertz's 16th-minute strike proved decisive in securing a hard-fought 1-0 win for the reigning champions.

Arsenal travelled to Merseyside just four days after a shock Carabao Cup exit away to fourth-tier Fleetwood. Arteta had hoped the defeat would galvanise his squad to achieve a landmark result at Liverpool, and his prediction was ultimately borne out.

"I am extremely proud. We have managed to win here after 14 years, which is a very long time. I am sure we filled everyone connected with the club with immense pride today. Not only with the win, but with the way we achieved it. We showed once again that we know how to fight, especially considering what happened on Tuesday. That is what makes this sport so magical," Arteta said, as quoted by BBC Sport.

His team broke the deadlock after Martin Ødegaard seized on a miscommunication between goalkeeper Alisson and defender Jeremy Jacquet, allowing Declan Rice to flash a low delivery across the box for Havertz to finish from close range.

The Arsenal forward netted his 46th Premier League goal, becoming the highest-scoring German in the history of the English top flight. Liverpool responded with intent, testing Arsenal's backline with dangerous deliveries from wide areas. Alexis Mac Allister might have done better with a header, while Florian Wirtz rattled the crossbar from a free-kick.

Despite their relentless attacking efforts, Andoni Iraola's side failed to register a single shot on target—marking the first time that has happened to Liverpool at home in the Premier League era. The hosts kept pushing against a disciplined away defence in the second half but struggled to carve out clear-cut chances. Had it not been for a superb stop by Alisson, winger Christos Tzolis could have doubled Arsenal's lead. According to official stats, Arsenal's resolute defence blocked nine shots from the home side.

"The mindset of each individual player is vital in games like this. Denying a team of this quality a single shot on target is incredible. I also want to praise Liverpool because they are a top side, which is why winning here deserves even greater credit," Arteta said of the Reds, managed by his close friend Iraola. The fixture stood as one of the sternest tests of the Spanish manager's tenure at Arsenal.

 Midfielder Rice, who registered his league-leading fifth assist of the campaign, also reflected on breaking the barren run. "At Anfield, you constantly face wave after wave of attack; this stadium is unique in that regard. We hadn't won here in 14 years. Liverpool were relentless and put us under real pressure, but we stayed compact and our togetherness was unbelievable. I've never seen anything quite like it," the England international said.

The home camp were left deeply frustrated by the officiating after the final whistle. While trailing in the first half, Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber pulled Alexander Isak's shirt inside the box as the Swedish striker prepared to head home Bradley Barcola's cross. Isak stayed on his feet, and referee Andy Madley declined to point to the spot. Stuart Attwell on VAR duties judged the contact insufficient to intervene, a verdict Iraola vehemently disputed.

"It is a clear shirt pull," the Spaniard told Match of the Day.

"Alex was right in front of him, attacking the ball and ready to head it. You could see the tug clearly in real time. If he goes down, they definitely award a penalty. Perhaps managers need to start instructing players to go to ground. It is a real shame we even have to discuss this, but that is the reality. And then referees complain about players diving," Iraola lamented.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was equally forthright in his assessment. "For me, it is a stonewall penalty. Why should a player have to complain or throw himself to the floor? We have 50 cameras here and not a single one noticed it? But it wasn't given and, unfortunately, we lost the match, so congratulations to Arsenal," said the Dutchman, who was shown a yellow card for dissent late in the game.

Bolstered by their sixth clean sheet of the league campaign, Arsenal took full advantage of Manchester City's slip-up to climb to the top of the table after matchday nine, establishing a three-point cushion. A victory would have seen Liverpool move within three points of the leaders; instead, the defeat leaves them trailing by nine points in fifth place.