Arsenal showed against Liverpool that they are the the best defensive team in all of world football, according to Jamie Carragher.

The Gunners pulled off what Gary Neville hailed as a “masterclass” on Sunday to win a Premier League game at Anfield for the first time since September 2012 and move three points clear at the summit.

Kai Havertz slotted in the only goal of a heavyweight clash on Merseyside in the 16th minute after superb work from midfield duo Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard, but the three points owed much to Arsenal’s efforts at the other end of the pitch.

Though they rode their luck at times with Liverpool denied what should have been a clear penalty for Jurrien Timber’s shirt pull on Alexander Isak in the first half, Mikel Arteta’s side delivered a sublime defensive display.

Despite the Reds dominating most of the match after falling behind and registering a total of 33 crosses and 17 shots, they failed to produce a single effort on target.

It was the first time that has happened to them in a league game at Anfield since records began in 2003 - a run of 442 consecutive home top-flight matches.

“This Arsenal team are the best defensive team not just in the Premier League, but I think in world football right now,” Liverpool legend Carragher said in his role as a pundit on Monday Night Football for Sky Sports.

Much of the praise for Arsenal’s winning goal against Liverpool has gone to Rice for his driving run and perfect delivery for Havertz to sweep home from close range at the back post, but Carragher gave special plaudits to Odegaard for leading a suffocating press that saw the hosts quickly cough up possession in their own half following a short goal kick - which has been a notable problem area in recent weeks.

“I don’t know if the plan was for [Alexis] Mac Allister to stay high and allow [Jeremy] Jacquet to step in, but it is brilliant from Odegaard, you have to say that,” Carragher said.

“Great press from [Christos] Tzolis and Odegaard is really brave. He’s almost quicker to the ball than Mac Allister is but again, that’s something only the Liverpool team know. It’s a fantastic ball from Declan Rice.

“It’s poor from Liverpool, but brilliant from Arsenal. The plan would always have been that when the ball goes into Mac Allister, Odegaard it’s your job to get after him.

“The way we saw Fulham do it, the way we saw Brighton do it. It was just that they won the ball in a different part of the pitch.”