Szoboszlai’s Stunner Seals Liverpool’s Early Statement Victory Over Arsenal

LIVERPOOL – A moment of pure brilliance from Dominik Szoboszlai broke a tense deadlock at Anfield, as the Hungarian midfielder’s spectacular 80th-minute free-kick handed Liverpool a 1-0 victory over Arsenal in a pivotal early-season clash between last year’s top two.

The result sends the defending champions to the top of the Premier League table with a perfect nine points from three games, dealing a psychological blow to their closest rivals from the previous campaign.

In a match billed as a heavyweight showdown but defined by cautious play, a single moment of quality decided the contest. With the game seemingly headed for a draw, Szoboszlai stepped up and curled an exquisite set-piece beyond the reach of Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, echoing the iconic strikes of former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Beyond the scoreline, the match was marked by growing injury concerns for both sides. Arsenal’s crisis deepened dramatically when key defender William Saliba was forced off after just five minutes with an ankle issue, adding to an absentee list that already included Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz. While new signing Cristhian Mosquera filled in admirably, Saliba’s early exit disrupted the Gunners’ defensive stability.

Liverpool, too, faced fitness worries with Ibrahima Konaté and Florian Wirtz leaving the pitch, but the three points will alleviate those concerns for now. The victory reinforced the team’s reputation as “mentality monsters,” grinding out a result despite not being at their fluid best.

For Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, the performance raised questions, particularly regarding the selection of an off-form Gabriel Martinelli over new signing Eberechi Eze, who provided a spark after coming on as a substitute.

While the title is unlikely to be decided in August, Liverpool’s ability to win tight games against direct rivals sends a powerful message to the league. For Arsenal, the international break offers a crucial window to recover key players and regroup after a demoralizing defeat that highlights the fine margins at the top of the table.