Liverpool’s run of five successive wins came to an end against Arsenal.
The Premier League champions opened the scoring just a quarter of an hour in as Kai Havertz was left unmarked to meet Declan Rice’s ball to the far post.
Andoni Iraola’s side drop down to fifth in the table after an afternoon in which they created plenty of chances but ultimately failed to make them count.
Here were the key talking points from Anfield:
Nyoni is already a game-changer
Trey Nyoni could have been forgiven for a sense of trepidation before making his first Premier League start for Liverpool against the reigning champions.
Still only 19, the midfielder’s ascent through the ranks at Anfield been a steady if slow-burning one with just two starts in the previous campaign.
A first in the top flight marked a contrast in fortunes this term as his 11th outing in all competitions as Andoni Iraola placed his trust in the teenager.
Fresh from impressing against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, Nyoni appeared the Reds’ most viable option to partner Alexis Mac Allister in the double pivot.
Arsenal’s ability to draw cheap fouls, first through Martin Odegaard and later Kai Havertz, left the academy graduate facing a potential game of unease.
However Nyoni’s regained composure coincided with the hosts’ best spell before the interval and extended early into the second half’s proceedings.
It was no coincidence that Iraola’s side struggled following his withdrawal shortly before the hour mark to facilitate Dominik Szoboszlai’s return to action.
In a game where regrets became an overriding emotion, Iraola may wonder whether he was too hasty in substituting one of his genuine game-changers.
Reds need to be more streetwise
Arsenal’s first victory at Anfield in over 14 years underlined about the depth of the disparity which currently exists between themselves and Liverpool.
Past fallow periods on Merseyside coincided with travelling fans chanting about how their team passed the ball while those in red shirts would ‘hoof’ it.
Yet the roles of that taunt have been reversed with Mikel Arteta’s side now considered an embodiment of everything wrong with the Premier League.
They may be the antithesis of everything Kopites hold dear but might actually have the right idea when it comes to the fine margins of refereeing decisions.
The Gunners continued received the benefit of doubt from the match officials by channelling the dark arts, whether they were drawing or dishing out fouls.
Alexander Isak, meanwhile, was denied a penalty for a Jurrien Timber shirt pull while Cody Gakpo also had grounds after Christos Tzolis’ manhandling.
Mac Allister’s reaction when Noni Madueke leaned into a head-to-head with him while already on a booking also failed to convince referee Andy Madley.
If Liverpool are to take something from more games, they will need to wise up to the gamesmanship of Premier League’s increasingly unforgiving terrain.
Iraola receives a reality check
The upcoming international break may actually prove a blessing for Liverpool.
Iraola has made a number of encouraging strides during his opening months at the helm; not least in both the domestic and European competitions.
But had his charges taken something from this encounter, extending their unbeaten run to a sixth game, it would have offered a false perception.
This was the first time since records began in 2003/04 that they had failed to register a single shot on target from 422 Premier League home matches.
Bradley Barcola headed up a costly attacking third which flattered to deceive against the team which had been vying for his signature over the summer.
Isak and Florian Wirtz, last year’s high-value additions, were similarly frustrating in a game where their respective price tags should be justified.
Liverpool’s issues extended beyond the combined £363 million triumvirate with ponderous periods of play illustrating the task still ahead for Iraola.
This game proved a useful reality check for the progress he has made so far as well as the steps still required before they can match the likes of Arsenal.