Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal: Szoboszlai Free-Kick Seals Statement Win at Anfield

Liverpool strike the first big blow, beating Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield, heading into the international break three points clear of their title rivals with Manchester City also losing today to Brighton. The champions are exactly where they want to be: at the top of the table.

Dominik Szoboszlai started at right-back once more with Jeremie Frimpong still out due to a hamstring injury and Conor Bradley on the bench, while Alexis Mac Allister returned to Liverpool’s midfield. Arsenal arrived with injury problems of their own: Bukayo Saka was out, so Gabriel Martinelli led the line alongside Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres.

Then, after just five minutes, William Saliba was forced off injured Cristian Mosquera coming on. It was the earliest substitution for an Arsenal starter in a Premier League match since Laurent Koscielny’s fourth-minute withdrawal against Everton in November 2012.

The first half offered little in terms of clear-cut chances. It remained goalless at the break, with Noni Madueke looking the most threatening of Arsenal’s forwards. His duel with Milos Kerkez provided the main point of interest. Liverpool’s defence which has already faced criticism early in the season held up well under Arsenal’s pressure, especially dealing with their usually dangerous set pieces.

On 60 minutes, Florian Wirtz turned sharply and shot on the spin, David Raya spilling the effort into the path of Hugo Ekitike, who finished only for the flag to go up for offside. The disallowed goal, coupled with Curtis Jones replacing Mac Allister in midfield, injected more energy into the game.

Ibrahima Konaté went down injured in the 79th minute.

Slot had originally planned to bring on Federico Chiesa for Ekitike, but also sent on Joe Gomez. This setback again highlighted Liverpool’s interest in Marc Guéhi and with the transfer deadline tomorrow, it raises the question: will Liverpool make the move for the Crystal Palace centre-back?

The breakthrough finally arrived in the 83rd minute. From a brilliant 30-yard direct free-kick, Szoboszlai fired the ball past Raya into the bottom-left corner.

Liverpool’s victory ended a six-game winless run against Arsenal in the league their longest since 2011. Slot’s side are now 19 games unbeaten at home in the top flight and continue their decade-long streak of not losing a home league match in August.

For Arsenal, the wait for a win at Anfield goes on now 13 visits without success since 2012, after the last three all ended level.