Dominik Szoboszlai immense, Mohamed Salah shocking - Liverpool ratings vs Arsenal
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Charlie Grace
Sun 31 August 2025 18:43, UK
Liverpool made it three wins from three with a victory against title chasing rivals Arsenal thanks to a wonderful free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai.
The first half was cagey with Arsenal and Liverpool feeling their way into the game with neither team committing numbers to attacks.
The second half was largely the same, but twenty minutes from time the Kop erupted into life and so did Liverpool.
It was a thunderbolt from 30 yards out in front of the Kop that saw Szoboszlai secure himself all the plaudits on a day where little separated the two sides.
(Credit Imago)
Alisson Becker – 6
Alisson Becker wasn’t troubled at all by Arsenal from either open play or from their threatening set pieces, which Liverpool defended exceptionally well as a unit.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 8
Slot’s new do-it-all swiss army knife comes in the form of the Hungarian Szoboszlai who has filled in at right-back excellently for his side, and he got what he deserved scoring Liverpool’s sumptuous winner.
Ibrahima Konate – 7
It has been a shaky start to the season for Ibrahima Konate but today he looked back to his best, comfortably containing Viktor Gyokeres alongside Virgil Van Dijk.
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Virgil Van Dijk – 7
(Credit Imago)
Van Dijk showed his evergreen class at the back for Liverpool, bullying Gyokeres into anonymity throughout the game.
Milos Kerkez – 5
Milos Kerkez had another difficult game, similarly to his showing against Newcastle where he was targeted often in behind, and seen as a weak spot in Liverpool’s defence.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Gravenberch touched every blade of grass in this match and competed with Arsenal’s robust midfield exceptionally throughout the game.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6
Alexis Mac Allister added the control that Liverpool’s midfield lacked against Newcastle last Monday, and it was clear how much more comfortable Gravenberch was next to Mac Allister as opposed to Curtis Jones.
Mohammed Salah – 4
(Credit Imago)
Mohammed Salah had one of his worst Liverpool showings for a long time, as the Egyptian’s first touch let him down on numerous occasions as he looked to perform his trademark check inside his opposing full-back.
Florian Wirtz – 6
It was probably Florian Wirtz’s best showing so far in a Liverpool shirt, dictating play in the final third against Arsenal’s staunch midfield, and the German was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet.
Cody Gakpo – 6
Cody Gakpo had been the unsung hero of Liverpool’s opening two matches this season, but it was a quiet showing from the Dutchman.
Cody Gakpo 2025-26Goals1Assists 2xG0.3xA0.7Cody Gakpo’s 2025-26 start by numbers (FBRef)
Hugo Ekitike – 6
It was a quiet afternoon for Hugo Ekitike who wasn’t able to continue his instant impact at Liverpool, failing to threaten David Raya in the Arsenal goal during his 79 minute stint.
Curtis Jones (for Mac Allister, 61) – 6
Curtis Jones’ clever half turn lead to the foul that earned Liverpool the free kick that was converted by Szoboszlai, it was a crucial contribution by Jones, who had a quiet half an hour otherwise.
Federico Chiesa (for Ekitike, 79) – 6
Federico Chiesa replaced Ekitike as a centre forward just as Liverpool’s winner went in, meaning the Italian was a loan forward force as Liverpool defended their one goal lead.
Joe Gomez (for Konate, 79) – 7
Joe Gomez entered the fold in place of Konate and was just as robust as the Frenchman, blocking a Gyokeres chance that looked goal bound at the near post.
Wataru Endo (for Wirtz, 89) – 6
With Wirtz injured and Slot looking to play out the game holding onto what they had Wataru Endo was opted with to lockdown the midfield, which he did well in his limited minutes.