Szoboszlai, Liverpool make 25-26 assertion by beating Arsenal

LIVERPOOL, England- Dominik Szoboszlai scored one of many best free kicks in Premier League historical past to seal a 1-0 win for Liverpool in opposition to title rivals Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.

The Hungary worldwide beat Gunners keeper David Raya from 30 yards with a robust right-footed strike within the 83rd minute after Liverpool had struggled to make any headway in opposition to Mikel Arteta’s aspect. Arsenal had managed the sport with out with the ability to create clear possibilities they usually paid the value when Szoboszlai scored his unimaginable free kick — an effort that drew comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunner for Manchester United in opposition to Portsmouth in 2008.

Liverpool’s win means they’re now the one workforce within the Premier League with a 100% document after simply three video games of the season and it strikes them prime of the desk forward of second-place Chelsea going into the worldwide break. — Mark Ogden

Szoboszlai is Liverpool’s unsung hero

Within the early weeks of the marketing campaign, a number of Liverpool stars have grabbed the headlines. Summer season signing Hugo Ekitike has been rightly lauded for his high quality begin to life in a pink shirt, whereas Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha have stolen the present with successful cameos in opposition to AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United, respectively.

On Sunday, although, it was unsung hero Szoboszlai who put his title up in lights with a stunning free kick to seal a treasured three factors for Arne Slot’s aspect. It’s at least the Hungary worldwide deserves and additional underlines his significance as one of the essential cogs within the Liverpool machine.

With accidents to each Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong in current weeks, Szoboszlai has been drafted in at proper again and was arguably Liverpool’s man of the match in opposition to each Newcastle and Arsenal. His relentlessness and athleticism have been instrumental in two enormous victories for the champions, and he confirmed his class on the different finish of the pitch on Sunday by curling dwelling an exceptional strike from 30 yards.

Regardless of Liverpool’s raft of summer season signings, Szoboszlai appears to be like set to be one of many first names on the teamsheet for the foreseeable future. — Beth Lindop

Wirtz and Gyökeres not but assembly expectations

Florian Wirtz and Viktor Gyökeres arrived within the Premier League this summer season as two of the largest incoming signings — the previous because the £116.5 million British document at Liverpool — however each are struggling to accept their new golf equipment. That they have been each signed as potential match winners, the keys that will unlock doorways, makes their early performances much more alarming.

Wirtz has achieved little of notice within the Liverpool No. 7 shirt to date, and his sport in opposition to the Gunners ended with the previous Bayer Leverkusen ahead limping off clutching his proper thigh. The Germany worldwide is clearly a cultured participant, however the pace of the sport in England is leaving him in a whirl proper now, and he wants to regulate to make an impression for Slot’s aspect.

The identical applies to Arsenal ahead Gyökeres, who has been underwhelming since finishing a £64 million transfer from Sporting CP.

He scored twice in final week’s 5-0 win at dwelling to Leeds United, however at Manchester United on the opening day and at Liverpool on Sunday, he regarded nicely out of his depth. The Sweden worldwide was dominated bodily by Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté and he by no means posed a menace.

The previous Coventry Metropolis striker appears to be like off form having had a disrupted preseason, however whereas he has ended Arsenal’s seek for a middle ahead, he appears to be like a great distance from being the completed article. — Ogden

Liverpool make assertion begin to 2025-26

On the full-time whistle, Anfield set free an almighty roar. We could be solely three video games into the brand new Premier League season, however already there’s a sense that Liverpool — psychologically, a minimum of — have gained vital early floor on this season’s title race.

Earlier than Sunday, Liverpool hadn’t overwhelmed Arsenal within the Premier League since March 2022. Of the six subsequent encounters, the Gunners had gained two and may have fancied themselves to proceed that sturdy document in opposition to a Liverpool aspect that has been defensively porous in current weeks.

It was not a classic Liverpool show by any means, nevertheless the champions — as champions so usually do — discovered a approach to win. There may be nonetheless a really lengthy approach to go earlier than the key prizes are handed out, and Arsenal have proven sufficient in these early weeks of the season to counsel that they may very seemingly be in rivalry for silverware come the spring.

For now, although, Liverpool are the one workforce within the Premier League with their 100% document nonetheless intact, having overwhelmed each Bournemouth and Newcastle already this time period. There are points for Slot to iron out however, so far as title defenses go, Liverpool have made a reasonably spectacular begin. — Lindop

Madueke proving his doubters incorrect

Noni Madueke was the big-money signing that the Arsenal supporters did not need this summer season.

When information of the membership’s curiosity within the Chelsea and England winner grew to become public, Madueke was focused on social media by Gunners supporters who believed that the 23-year-old was not adequate for his or her workforce. It was a sickening marketing campaign focusing on the participant, however Madueke vowed to show his price in an Arsenal shirt, and he did simply that at Anfield.

Madueke’s work down the proper helped Arsenal management the sport and he repeatedly acquired the higher of Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez. Arsenal weren’t capable of capitalize on Madueke’s efficiency, however make no mistake, he silenced his critics together with his efficiency. — Ogden

Liverpool protection steals assault’s thunder

For all of the speak of Liverpool’s defensive struggles over the previous few weeks, it was in assault that Slot’s aspect struggled to shine in opposition to Arsenal.

Throughout their first two video games of the season, Liverpool conceded 4 targets, with Konaté coming in for loads of criticism for his nervy shows. Nevertheless, in opposition to Arsenal, the France worldwide was one of many standout performers in a again line that diminished their opponents to an anticipated targets (xG) worth of simply 0.39.

Alongside him, Kerkez — who has additionally been underneath loads of scrutiny in current video games — additionally impressed regardless of the enjoyment Madueke discovered on his flank, though it was a harder afternoon for his or her colleagues within the ahead line. Liverpool recorded an xG of simply 0.34 and, for a lot of the afternoon, struggled to create huge possibilities in opposition to a strong Arsenal protection.

Finally, Slot’s aspect got here away with the victory, nevertheless the shortage of attacking sport changers from the bench — regardless of Chiesa and Ngumoha’s current heroics — was obvious. Liverpool’s ahead choices may very well be bolstered within the subsequent 24 hours if they’re able to safe a deal for wantaway Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, but when not, the Reds danger going right into a busy few months with a worrying lack of offensive choices. — Lindop