Liverpool got an early leg up in the Premier League title race as Dominik Szoboszlai’s jaw-dropping free kick secured a 1-0 victory over Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.
Sunday’s eagerly anticipated tussle between the title contenders had been heading for a forgettable fourth successive top-flight draw between these sides at Anfield.
But after a goalless first half, the Liverpool midfielder — who lined up at right back in the match — struck a fierce curling effort past David Raya from a central position, more than 30 yards from goal, in the 83rd minute.
The breakthrough came shortly after Mikel Arteta had introduced Eberechi Eze for his Arsenal debut, but the team’s new recruit failed to make a telling impression on the game.
Liverpool head into the international break top of the Premier League after starting their title defense with three wins from three, and more excitement possibly follows on deadline day.
Alexander Isak and Marc Guéhi are in Liverpool’s sights on Monday, while Arsenal will be hoping William Saliba has avoided anything serious after limping off inside five minutes.
The defender was hurt challenging Hugo Ekitike and was replaced by summer signing Cristhian Mosquera.
There was also a prematch change in the VAR booth for what was a physical test that lacked creativity and clear-cut chances. John Brooks replaced Michael Salisbury as VAR after Salisbury’s error in Saturday’s game between Chelsea and Fulham.
Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick will go down in Liverpool folklore.
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Cody Gakpo drove inside and sent an early 25-yarder skipping wide, while Noni Madueke posed no end of problems to left back Milos Kerkez at the other end.
The Arsenal winger won numerous corners, with one of those midway through the first half ending in him forcing a smart save from Alisson.
Liverpool were below par, but Raya nearly gifted them a 33rd-minute opener. Virgil van Dijk intercepted the goalkeeper’s underhit pass through the middle, but he failed to find Mohamed Salah.
Kerkez sent a Madueke shot looping behind as Arsenal had some half-chances before halftime.
Neither side mustered a serious shot until the 60th minute, when Florian Wirtz’s strike was too hot to handle for Raya. Ekitike was first to react, and the loose ball was bundled into the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside against the forward.
Liverpool increased the intensity from that moment, with Gakpo seeing a hopeful attempt held and Raya just managing to stop a delicate Salah cross finding Wirtz.
Eberechi Eze made his Arsenal debut in the team’s defeat at Anfield.
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Arteta reacted by introducing Martin Ødegaard and new signing Eze for the final 20 minutes, allowing for more intricate, creative play.
Liverpool lost Ibrahima Konaté to an injury and looked to be running out of ideas in attack, only for a moment of magic in front of the Kop.
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Martín Zubimendi was booked for a foul on Curtis Jones 30 yards from goal and Szoboszlai took aim with a breathtaking free kick that found the top-left corner.
Anfield was rocking as Arsenal pushed for the equalizer, with Eze’s penalty appeals against Joe Gomez ignored before Konate’s replacement stopped Viktor Gyökeres meeting a cross.
Record signing Wirtz limped off as the clock wound down, with Arsenal failing to eke out an equalizer as they pushed until the end.
