Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal: Szoboszlai's stunning free-kick sends Reds to the top

Dominik Szoboszlai scored a stunning free-kick to earn Liverpool a 1-0 win over Arsenal at Anfield and send the reigning champions to the top of the Premier League table.

Match Report

The Gunners had the better of a first half short on clear-cut chances but Arne Slot's side stepped things up when attacking the Kop after the interval and got their reward through the tireless Hungarian, who played the game out of position at right-back.

Liverpool are now the only team with a perfect record in the Premier League this season, moving ahead of Chelsea at the top, while Mikel Arteta's men lose their own unbeaten record having suffered their first defeat against the 'big six' in 23 matches.

Arsenal were unfortunate in some respects. Already without Bukayo Saka, they suffered the early setback of seeing William Saliba go off injured, but produced a typically composed performance in the first half, in which they nullified the champions.

Although Viktor Gyokeres struggled to get into it, Noni Madueke caused problems for Milos Kerkez and forced the only save of note in the first half. At that stage, they appeared to be making good on Arteta's claim that they had come to Anfield to win.

"I think the game is there for Arsenal. They have to step up," Gary Neville had told Sky Sports at half-time. "They need a psychological boost that they can win at grounds like this. They need the ruthlessness to go for the kill." But Liverpool seized the initiative.

Player of the match: Dominik Szoboszlai

The hero of the match was not Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike or Florian Wirtz for Liverpool, nor was it Arsenal's new striker Gyokeres, or the second-half substitutes Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze - the latter on the pitch for his Arsenal debut.

It was Szoboszlai, and how he deserved it. Forced into a defensive role yet again at right-back, he snuffed out the threat of Gabriel Martinelli and once he had the opportunity to influence the game at the other end of the pitch, he produced the magical moment.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

0' YNWA! Fans are paying tribute to Diogo Jota

0' Match Event for Liverpool vs Arsenal

5' William Saliba suffers an injury and Cristhian Mosquera comes on

10' Martinelli looks to break free, but his touch lets him down and loses the ball

13' Gakpo takes a first-time shot, but the effort goes just wide of the left post

15' Madueke sends a dangerous pass but Raya is in the right place to clear the ball

20' Madueke gets on the ball and beats an opponent, but he's stopped by a tackle

26' Wirtz sends in a cross from a free kick but his effort sails off the pitch

29' Gravenberch booked yellow as he brought down Calafiori to stop Arsenel's attack

29' Rice takes a mid-range free kick, but his effort goes into the stands

33' VVD sends a sweet pass as Raya mistakes, but the danger is cleared

35' Madueke fires the ball in on goal, but the shot is blocked

36' Match Event for Liverpool vs Arsenal

39' Timber's shot is blocked and Calafiori gets the rebound but the effort is wide

40' Gabriel fouls as he pulls the jersey of salah, Ekitike's attempt is also cleared

46' Slot is talking to Bradley before the second-half starts

49' Ekitike fouls as he holds his opponent to prevent him from getting the ball

52' Gravenberch takes a long-range shot but his attempt goes miles wide

58' Madueke slaloms his way past challenges, but Raya does well to get the ball away

60' Ekitike gets to the rebound and scores but it is ruled offside

62' Curtis Jones replaces Mac Allister

63' Gabriel drills a shot but the ball hits Konate and bounces away

65' Gakpo unleashes a low drive to the middle, but Raya makes a save

66' Gyökeres sees a yellow card as he sent VVD to the ground

68' Salah sends a pass into the box, but Raya intercepts the ball

70' Martinelli and Merino are replaced by Eze and Odegaard

79' Ekitike and injured Konate are replaced by Federico Chiesa and Joe Gomez

81' Martin Zubimendi is booked yellow for a heavy challenge

83' GOAL! What an incredible free-kick from Szoboszlai! Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal

85' Eze goes down in the box after a challenge but the referee just waves play on

89' Highlight from Liverpool vs Arsenal

Line-ups

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Salah, Van Dijk, Konate, Gakpo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Hugo Ekitiké, Milos Kerkez, Wirtz

Subs: Endo, Robertson, Joe Gomez, Chiesa, Curtis Jones, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Elliott, Conor Bradley, Rio Ngumoha

Arsenal XI: David Raya, Merino, Rice, Viktor Gyökeres, Gabriel, Martín Zubimendi, Martinelli, Saliba, Madueke, Timber, Calafiori

Subs: Trossard, Kepa, Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze, Cristhian Mosquera, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Max Dowman, Andre Harriman-Annous