Cody Gakpo fumes at Jurrien Timber as strange Mikel Arteta moment in Liverpool loss spotted

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Jurrien Timber of Arsenal challenges Cody Gakpo of Liverpool during the Premier League match at Anfield on August 31 2025(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool continued the new Premier League season with a satisfying victory against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds earned a narrow 1-0 triumph with a thunderous Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick from range late on securing three points.

The result moves the Reds clear at the top of the early table with a 100% record and landed a blow in the title race ahead of the first international break of the season.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes (and a bit more) at Anfield...

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Gakpo unimpressed

When the top two teams in the country meet, emotions usually run high.

And there was definitely no love lost between two Dutchmen during an at times feisty first half.

Cody Gakpo and Jurrien Timber, perhaps reliving past battles for PSV Eindhoven and Ajax, were involved in a running battle down the left flank that spilled over into one shirt-tug-of-war that saw the Arsenal man rightly penalised.

Not that it stopped Timber getting in the face of the referee Chris Kavanagh, despite not being the Gunners captain.

No booking, though.

Angry Arteta

Mikel Arteta was not impressed by that particular moment, with some regarding his subsequent applause a sarcastic response to the decision to award Liverpool a free-kick.

The Arsenal boss was on his feet throughout and very often veered out of his technical area without any censure.

And it led to one strange moment when Arteta was that close to the pitch that when he punched one clearance back into play, it appeared his fist was almost over the touchline.

There have been penalties given for less this season.

Virgil the clairvoyant

Virgil van Dijk has long gained a reputation for forecasting goals.

And there was plenty of reaction on the pitch, too.

Joe Gomez, who was excellent during his cameo from the bench, was surrounded by club officials congratulating him on his efforts, while Hugo Ekitike danced to his own chant.

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And the sight of both Ibrahima Konate and Florian Wirtz moving freely having been substituted indicated any respective injury problems are not too serious.