Dominic Szoboszlai celebrating his match-winning goal. (Image: Getty)
Dominik Szoboszlai sent Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table after a special free-kick from 30 yards sealed a 1-0 victory over fellow title rivals Arsenal. The Reds are the only team to walk away from their first three fixtures with nine points and move above previous leaders Chelsea.
The hosts had the ball in the Anfield net on the hour mark, with Hugo Ekitike bundling it home following a rebound from Florian Wirtz’s shot, but the assistant raised his flag and the striker was deemed offside.
Both teams pushed for a late winner, as Arsenal threw captain Martin Odegaard and debutant Eberechi Eze on from the bench, but it was Liverpool who got over the line after some divine inspiration from their midfielder-turned-right-back. Substitute Curtis Jones had won a free-kick after a smart turn, before Szoboszlai struck a bullet into the top corner.
Here, Express Sport has taken a look at Liverpool’s stars from the match…
Liverpool player ratings vs Arsenal (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper
Alisson – 6
Darted out well early to claim a loose ball and thwart a potentially dangerous moment, before stopping Noni Madueke’s effort from range in the first half. Had little else to do throughout.
Defence
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8
Out of position again at right-back, but largely kept Gabriel Martinelli quiet on a day where the Brazilian should have asserted himself. Szoboszlai then made a cross-field pass to Cody Gakpo in the second half that will remind many of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Then the second incarnation of the England full-back arrived on centre stage when he perfectly struck a 30-yard free-kick into the top corner and wheeled away in celebration to the Kop. A goal worthy of three points.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
Grew in confidence after a testing opening few weeks to the season and won his battle with Viktor Gyokeres in an encouraging response. There will be concerns, however, as he was forced off in the 77th minute after pulling up with an injury.
Ibrahima Konate challenging Viktor Gyokeres. (Image: Getty)
Virgil van Dijk – 7
Led by example and gave Gyokeres very little to work with, while also organising some clever set-piece defensive setups that appeared to bamboozle the most prolific team in the world from corners and free-kicks. A few impressive dribbles and passes too.
Milos Kerkez – 7
A strong performance to keep the confident Madueke at bay. Needed to step up defensively after an underwhelming outing against Newcastle last time out.
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Midfield
Ryan Gravenberch – 5
Picked up another yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Riccardo Calafiori and left himself with an hour of trying to avoid another. The Dutchman could have imposed himself more on the match if he had been able to proceed without the fear of being sent off.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
The game largely bypassed him but Alexis Mac Allister did have more of an impact than his fellow midfielders. Still appears to lack some match sharpness, however. There was little surprise when he was the first Liverpool player to be taken off, replaced by Jones.
Florian Wirtz – 5
In his first two matches, Wirtz struggled with the Premier League’s physicality, and he was unable to leave his mark once again against Arsenal.
The £116million signing struggled against a combative Gunners midfield of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino and could not get high enough up the pitch.
Wirtz will be desperate to play Burnley next in a game where his side should dominate possession. If performances do not pick up soon, then pressure will continue to ramp up.
Attack
Mohamed Salah – 7
Once again more of a creative threat than the talisman we are used to seeing from Mohamed Salah, as he adjusts to his new attacking team-mates. But offered Liverpool their strongest passages of play and could have come away with a pair of assists if for a bit more decisiveness elsewhere.
Hugo Ekitike – 5
Worked hard but got little change out of Gabriel and Cristhian Mosquera, who came on for the injured William Saliba in the first half.
Cody Gakpo – 6
An anonymous performance for the first 70 minutes as Gakpo was locked down completely by his compatriot, Jurrien Timber. He struggled to connect with those nearest to him, Mac Allister and Milos Kerkez, and did not get close to the goal until late in the game once Jones was introduced off the bench.
He ended the match very brightly.
Mohamed Salah had a challenging afternoon against Arsenal. (Image: Getty)
Substitutes
Curtis Jones (60′) – 7
Given 30 minutes in midfield, while Szoboszlai remained in defence, and was immediately able to provide more of a link to Gakpo on the left. A very tidy cameo and won the free-kick for Szoboszlai to rifle home.
Joe Gomez (79′) – 6
Came on to help secure the clean sheet once Ibrahima Konate suffered an injury in the closing stages of the match.
Federico Chiesa (79′) – 6
Tried again up front and had a few bright sparks in the closing stages of the match.
Wataru Endo (89′) – N/A
Didn’t have enough time on the pitch to make an impact after replacing Wirtz.