Premier League champions Liverpool maintained their perfect start to the season as they overcame Arsenal courtesy of a sumptuous Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick at Anfield.
In a game that pitted last season’s title winners against the runners-up, it was perhaps unsurprising that it was a moment of magic that ultimately separated the two teams.
Szoboszlai, again utilised as a makeshift right-back, provided such a moment, crashing home a wonderful set-piece from 30 yards out to lift the Reds to the table’s summit.
Arsenal, whose last victory away at Liverpool came nearly 13 years ago when manager Mikel Arteta was a player for the north Londoners, edged what was a cagey first 45 minutes.
But it was Arne Slot’s side who eventually came out on top, picking up what could prove to be an important early victory against one of the contenders for their crown.
How the action unfolded
Perhaps predictably, Liverpool boasted the majority of possession in the early stages. In the absence of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, the Gunners’ game plan appeared to be one built upon a fierce intensity without the ball.
But it was far from the ideal start for Arteta’s men, with William Saliba hobbling off after just four minutes, replaced by 21-year-old Cristhian Mosquera.
Coming into the match, Arteta’s defence had yet to be breached this term. But Liverpool showed their intention to change that with the game’s first real chance coming courtesy of Cody Gakpo.
However, the Dutchman’s lashed effort fizzed the wrong side of David Raya’s near post.
Noni Madueke, Arsenal’s brightest attacking threat up against Milos Kerkez down the right, had his team’s first sight of goal not long after when his fierce strike from a corner was palmed away by Alisson.
And that was pretty much that for the opening first 45 minutes; an energetic but mostly cagey first period between the champions and last season’s runners-up, perhaps unsurprisingly, yielding very few genuine opportunities.
After the break, Madueke continued to offer the visitors’ most dangerous outlet out wide, but Kerkez held firm against the pace and trickery of the England winger.
On the other side of the pitch, despite a prolific goalscoring record against the Gunners, Mohamed Salah was having a quiet afternoon.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool’s record signing, has not quite lived up to his £116m price tag in his first few Reds games.
But just before the hour mark, the German playmaker showed quick reactions to draw a smart stop from Raya before another Anfield new boy, Hugo Ekitike, bundled home the rebound.
However, the French forward was flagged for offside and the scoreline remained goalless.
It seemed to spark the contest to life. With the hosts showing more promise in the final third, Arteta reacted by bringing on Odegaard and debutant Eberechi Eze on 70 minutes.
But the change did little to turn the tide and just over 10 minutes later, the champions broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion.
From a free-kick a full 30-yards from goal, Szoboszlai struck a sublime effort that dipped and curled beyond Raya and in off the post.
It was a goal worthy of wining any football match and so it proved to be the difference between the two sides.
For Liverpool, their 100% record this season remains intact, while, for Arsenal, the hunt for a first victory at Anfield in well over a decade goes on.
