Dominik Szoboszlai's sensational 83rd-minute free-kick from as far as 30 yards gave Liverpool a 1-0 victory over Arsenal at Anfield, settling a tense, high-stakes meeting between the Premier League's early pacesetters. The Hungarian's strike, with dip and fade, flew inside David Raya's right-hand post and turned a stalemate into a statement, sending the reigning champions to the top of the table.
For long spells, pragmatism held sway: both teams respected the jeopardy of being the first to blink in a game that promised more noise than chances. Arsenal shaded the first half despite losing William Saliba to injury after five minutes, with summer signing Cristhian Mosquera drafted in and £60m recruit Eberechi Eze held back until late. After the break, with Liverpool attacking the Kop, the tide shifted. Half-chances and fine margins came and went until Szoboszlai’s right foot settled everything.
Pragmatism, press, and a first-half on a tightrope
Mikel Arteta leaned into solidity and control. He started Mikel Merino in the No. 10 role with Martín Ødegaard not fully fit and saw Martín Zubimendi influence the ball circulation as Arsenal dared to play out from the back. It was tense—hearts thumped whenever the patterns were pressed—but it underlined the personality Arteta demanded. In this measured opening, Arsenal shaded the territory without creating much.