Szoboszlai’s Late Free-Kick Seals Liverpool Victory Over Arsenal

Dominik Szoboszlai delivered a moment of brilliance to hand Liverpool a 1-0 win over Arsenal in a tense early-season clash at Anfield on Sunday. The Hungarian midfielder struck an unstoppable free-kick in the 83rd minute, breaking the deadlock in what had been a cagey contest between two of the Premier League’s strongest title contenders.

The result leaves Arne Slot’s Liverpool as the only side with a perfect record after three games. Remarkably, all three victories—against Bournemouth, Newcastle, and now Arsenal—have come thanks to decisive late goals, highlighting the champions’ ability to grind out results even before hitting top form.

Liverpool’s Progress and Transfer Ambitions

Although Slot is still reshaping the squad that dominated last season, Liverpool continue to demonstrate their resilience and attacking depth. The forward line, featuring Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, and Hugo Ekitike, has yet to fully gel, but the team’s knack for finding match-winning moments remains intact.

Liverpool could strengthen further before the transfer window closes. The club is actively pursuing Newcastle striker Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, aiming to add firepower up front and defensive stability at the back.

Arsenal Hampered by Injuries

For Arsenal, the defeat was a setback in their pursuit of a first league title since 2004. Manager Mikel Arteta has been heavily backed this summer, with over £250 million spent on new signings, but his side traveled to Anfield shorthanded. Key players Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz were ruled out, and the Gunners’ problems worsened when William Saliba limped off after just five minutes, forcing youngster Christhian Mosquera into action.

Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, brought in to lead the line, struggled to adapt against Virgil van Dijk’s commanding presence. Meanwhile, new signing Noni Madueke, filling in for Saka, provided Arsenal’s brightest moments. The winger repeatedly beat Liverpool’s Milos Kerkez for pace but lacked the finishing touch to capitalize on his openings.

A Tactical Battle at Anfield

Both sides approached the game cautiously, wary of conceding an early blow in the title race. Chances were few in the first half, with Madueke’s deflected strike the closest either side came. After the break, Liverpool briefly thought they had scored when Ekitike bundled the ball in following a scramble, but the goal was chalked off for offside against Gakpo in the buildup.

That near miss lifted the Anfield atmosphere, setting the stage for Szoboszlai’s decisive strike. His curling free-kick dipped over the wall and clipped the inside of David Raya’s post before nestling into the net—an effort of sheer quality that finally broke Arsenal’s resistance.

A Statement Win in the Title Race

Arsenal pushed for an equaliser late on and appealed for a penalty after Joe Gomez’s challenge on Eberechi Eze, but their protests were dismissed. Liverpool held firm to secure their first clean sheet of the campaign and, more importantly, send an early signal in the title race.

By claiming victory over their closest rivals, Slot’s men not only preserved their flawless start but also landed a psychological blow on Arsenal, who had yet to concede a goal this season. With the campaign still in its infancy, Sunday’s result reinforced Liverpool’s status as the team to beat.