A sensational free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Arsenal in a tight game at Anfield.
Last season’s top two met having both won their first two games of the season, so while too early for a title decider, the game gave us an idea of where both teams are.
It proved a close encounter, with both sides struggling to break down the other and chances limited until Szoboszlai struck in the final 10 minutes from more than 30 yards.
Injuries, a theme for Arsenal last season, hit again after centre-back William Saliba pulled up in the first few minutes, with Cristhian Mosquera, a new signing from Valencia over the summer, replacing him.
For Liverpool, they had their own injury concerns, with Ibrahima Konate going off, but will come away the happier after collecting three points.
Gregg Evans, Art de Roche and Anantaajith Raghuraman break down the match from Anfield.
Breaking down Szoboszlai’s wonderstrike
Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning goal served as a timely reminder of his rising influence within this Liverpool side.
He produced the game’s one moment of magic with a 32-yard free kick that flew into the top corner and beat David Raya for the first time this season.
Lining up the shot, it looked too far out, but Szoboszlai’s strike was too much for the Arsenal ‘keeper to get across and stop.
It was also Szoboszlai who won possession in the build-up to the goal, and he added the icing to the cake with the match-winning free kick.
When man of the match Szoboszlai was signed from RB Leipzig in 2023, his set-piece qualities were highlighted as one of his major strengths and the plan was to use him in attacking midfield and occasionally replace Mo Salah on the right side of attack.
Playing in defence, as a right-back, was certainly not in the script, but like so often in his two years at Anfield, the Hungarian has filled in when required to grow into one of the most valuable utility players in the squad.
After performing well in the win at Newcastle United on Monday, Szoboszlai kept his place ahead of Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez, and it proved to be a clever decision.
For most of the game, he silenced Gabriel Martinelli and restricted the added threat of Riccardo Calafiori. Rarely did he flinch when under pressure and when he was required to cover and offer assistance, he was always there.
The bonus of having a player so accomplished in that role also benefited Liverpool in the build-up phase and late into the game he showed his passing qualities with a sweeping diagonal ball that a certain former right-back at the club would have been proud of.
Gregg Evans
How will Arteta feel about that defeat?
Szoboszlai’s free kick would have felt like a sucker punch to Arteta, but it shows that even if things are going to plan, that can all be undone by star quality.
Arteta’s intentions for the game were clear with his starting lineup: be physically competitive for as long as possible and then get the match-winners on.
The 70-minute mark is when Arteta felt the time was right, but it arguably may have been when Liverpool’s disallowed goal went in on the hour mark.
(Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
The game was open enough for Arsenal to take hold of with more technical, forward-thinking midfielders, but neither Eberechi Eze or Martin Odegaard had much time before Szoboszlai’s free kick. They combined nicely once between coming on and Arsenal going behind, but the game wasn’t under control.
What will hurt even more for Arsenal is that, like last season, they are now in a position where they will need to play catch-up with Liverpool. Even if it is early in the season, the need to make up ground will be felt moving forward.
Art de Roche
Saliba injury – how did Mosquera do?
Arteta probably couldn’t believe his luck when Saliba needed replacing just minutes into the game.
While Martin Odegaard was able to return to the matchday squad after suffering a shoulder injury last week, Saliba joined Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus and Christian Norgaard on their list. Arteta lamented the injuries Arsenal have already suffered this season during the week, but has also highlighted why recruiting so heavily was important this summer.
Mosquera, signed for £13million from Valencia, came on in Saliba’s place at right-sided centre-back. That is his most natural position, but as cited by The Athletic in the summer, he has played as a right-back and left-sided centre-back too.
The 21-year-old looked nervous on the ball at Anfield, but was effective defensively. Whenever Liverpool tried to find Hugo Ekitike in the air, he was touch-tight, ready to engage.
Saliba went off injured against Liverpool early on (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Arsenal remained compact in the second half, which meant the young defender was not left exposed. Unfortunately for him, there was nothing he could do about the winner.
Art De Roche
Madueke vs Kerkez: who won?
In a first half where neither team created much of note, Noni Madueke’s duel with Milos Kerkez was an engaging sub-plot.
With progression through the central areas often restricted, Arsenal were more than happy to go long towards the wings. Kerkez’s lack of aerial prowess was often targeted, as his former club Bournemouth did during Liverpool’s 4-2 opening-day win.
No player completed more progressive carries in the first half across both teams than Madueke’s three, though Kerkez slid in at the right moment twice to concede a corner.
The Hungarian also recovered well to block a Madueke shot in the 22nd minute.
In the 54th minute, Madueke turned Kerkez in the box but the left-back recovered once again to block a right-footed cross out for a corner. Fifteen minutes later, Madueke was penalised for hauling Kerkez down while chasing another long ball to that flank.
(Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
In the early weeks of the season, Liverpool fans have questioned why Kerkez’s role in possession has been limited, with Arne Slot often using him in helping Liverpool build out of the back instead of performing the flying offensive role he had at Bournemouth.
But when opponents have targeted him, he has held his own. As for Madueke, there were enough sparks to suggest he can prove an adequate deputy to Bukayo Saka on the right wing, though a starting berth when Saka is fit is more likely to arrive on the left.
The Arsenal winger’s final involvement before being replaced by Max Dowman saw him fire a cross after advancing ahead of Kerkez but the effort was cleared at the near post by Joe Gomez, who got ahead of Viktor Gyokeres, prompting a frustrated reaction from Madueke.
Anantaajith Raghuraman
Why the change in Arsenal corners? And how did Liverpool defend them?
Six of Arsenal’s first seven corners, taken by Declan Rice, were outswingers — a notable shift from last season, when Arsenal registered only four outswinging corners across the entire campaign.
With Saka injured and Odegaard, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri all on the bench, the responsibilities fell to Rice but his delivery was lacking and Liverpool’s aggressive approach helped limit the threat.
Despite the height advantage that Arsenal had over their opponents, Liverpool refused to be bullied and protected their box well, especially through the presence of the dominant Ibrahima Konate.
Liverpool will be sweating on the Frenchman’s fitness after he limped off with an injury that could spark a greater need to get the Marc Guehi deal done before the transfer window closes tomorrow.
Konate was particularly commanding as Liverpool defended corners with both strength and power. He won a number of first-contact headers to help clear the danger and it meant that one of Arsenal’s greatest strengths was effectively neutralised during a game where the defenders came out on top.
Gregg Evans
What next for Liverpool?
Sunday, September 14: Burnley (away), Premier League, 2pm UK, 9am ET
What next for Arsenal?
Saturday, September 13: Nottingham Forest (home), Premier League, 12.30pm UK, 7.30am ET
(Top photo: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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