Premier League champions Liverpool maintained their good begin to the season as they overcame Arsenal courtesy of a luxurious Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick at Anfield.
In a recreation that pitted final season’s title winners in opposition to the runners-up, it was maybe unsurprising that it was a second of magic that in the end separated the 2 groups.
Szoboszlai, once more utilised as a makeshift right-back, offered such a second, crashing residence an exquisite set-piece from 30 yards out to carry the Reds to the desk’s summit.
Arsenal, whose final victory away at Liverpool got here almost 13 years in the past when supervisor Mikel Arteta was a participant for the north Londoners, edged what was a cagey first 45 minutes.
Nevertheless it was Arne Slot’s facet who finally got here out on prime, selecting up what might show to be an essential early victory in opposition to one of many contenders for his or her crown.
How the motion unfolded
Maybe predictably, Liverpool boasted the vast majority of possession within the early phases. Within the absence of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, the Gunners’ recreation plan gave the impression to be one constructed upon a fierce depth with out the ball.
Nevertheless it was removed from the perfect begin for Arteta’s males, with William Saliba hobbling off after simply 4 minutes, changed by 21-year-old Cristhian Mosquera.
Coming into the match, Arteta’s defence had but to be breached this time period. However Liverpool confirmed their intention to alter that with the sport’s first actual likelihood coming courtesy of Cody Gakpo.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman’s lashed effort fizzed the incorrect facet of David Raya’s close to put up.
Noni Madueke, Arsenal’s brightest attacking risk up in opposition to Milos Kerkez down the precise, had his crew’s first sight of aim not lengthy after when his fierce strike from a nook was palmed away by Alisson.
And that was just about that for the opening first 45 minutes; an lively however largely cagey first interval between the champions and final season’s runners-up, maybe unsurprisingly, yielding only a few real alternatives.
After the break, Madueke continued to supply the guests’ most harmful outlet out huge, however Kerkez held agency in opposition to the tempo and trickery of the England winger.
On the opposite facet of the pitch, regardless of a prolific goalscoring file in opposition to the Gunners, Mohamed Salah was having a quiet afternoon.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s file signing, has not fairly lived as much as his £116m price ticket in his first few Reds video games.
However simply earlier than the hour mark, the German playmaker confirmed fast reactions to attract a sensible cease from Raya earlier than one other Anfield new boy, Hugo Ekitike, bundled residence the rebound.
Nevertheless, the French ahead was flagged for offside and the scoreline remained goalless.
It appeared to spark the competition to life. With the hosts exhibiting extra promise within the remaining third, Arteta reacted by bringing on Odegaard and debutant Eberechi Eze on 70 minutes.
However the change did little to show the tide and simply over 10 minutes later, the champions broke the impasse in spectacular vogue.
From a free-kick a full 30-yards from aim, Szoboszlai struck a elegant effort that dipped and curled past Raya and in off the put up.
It was a aim worthy of wining any soccer match and so it proved to be the distinction between the 2 sides.
For Liverpool, their 100% file this season stays intact, whereas, for Arsenal, the hunt for a primary victory at Anfield in properly over a decade goes on.
