Declan Rice hails Arsenal's 1-0 Anfield win over Liverpool as 'performance of champions'

Declan Rice believes Arsenal's gritty 1-0 victory at Liverpool on Sunday was the 'performance of champions' as Mikel Arteta's side moved nine points clear at the top of the Premier League. Rice set up Kai Havertz's 16th-minute winner but was equally vital defensively, showcasing his physicality and game intelligence to help Arsenal withstand Liverpool's pressure. Liverpool were left frustrated by referee Anthony Taylor's decision not to award a penalty for Jürrien Timber's shirt-pull on Alexander Isak in the 21st minute, while Arsenal's streetwise tactics, including winning free-kicks and David Raya's late time-wasting booking, drew the Kop's ire. The result leaves Liverpool 11 points behind Arsenal, with Rice insisting his team are ready for more grinding wins in the title race. Arsenal's resilience at Anfield, where they had not won in the league since 2012, underlines their growing maturity as genuine contenders.