Declan Rice has named the 'best team in the league' out of Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City

Declan Rice gave his thoughts on "the best team in the league" after Arsenal recorded a crucial win over Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta's side closed the gap at the top to just two points as goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard sealed the 3-1 victory.

Liverpool have been in fine form for large parts of the campaign, recording 15 wins from a possible 23, but individual errors proved vital on Sunday afternoon.

After the full-time whistle, summer signing Declan Rice gave his take on the result – and delivered a huge compliment to their most recent opponents.

"They have been the best team in the league if you look on paper and statistically, this is only their second loss today," he told Bein Sports.

"We knew how big today was going into the game, the momentum needed from everyone, staff, players and fans and it transmitted on to the field today.

"You could see for 90 minutes it was a team that would do anything to win a football match. In the end, we came out victorious and it is a very good feeling all round.”

Rice, who has been one of Arsenal's standout players this season, added: "We’ve got some great characters in the team who were pushing on, driving on at half time that it wasn’t a moment to let our heads drop.

"We couldn’t let one moment of a lack in concentration affect what we’d done for that 45.

"We knew in the second half it was going to be a tough game but, in the end, we gave it everything and we got the three points which was massive for us."

"Mikel told us to stay calm and we've got some great characters in the team who were telling us to push on"

Declan Rice tells us about the half-time teamtalk after conceding just before the whistle - it sounds like the squad is all together!#beINPL #AFC #LFC pic.twitter.com/BlGWOIzLOi

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) February 4, 2024

In his post-match interview, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted that Arsenal deserved the win.

"In general it was not our day. We can really admit that. Arsenal deserve the three points. Even when the circumstances were a bit strange," he said.

"We didn't play enough from the start. We struggled a little bit. We weren't calm enough. We had the possession we just didn't have the finishes."

Liverpool currently sit two points ahead of Arsenal in the title race, while third place Manchester City are five points behind with two games in hand.