Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal: Three talking points
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Liverpool recorded a statement victory over title rivals Arsenal.
Dominik Szoboszlai finally broke the deadlock of a cagey encounter with a sublime free kick that nestled into the top lefthand corner of The Kop’s net.
The Premier League champions head into September’s international break occupying top spot after a flawless start in their opening three games.
Here were the key talking points from Anfield:
If Liverpool required further proof that an unprecedented summer of spending should not be at an end before Monday’s deadline, this was a case in point.
Only Arsenal have come close to matching Anfield’s eye-watering outlay of nearly £300 million but their visit exposed the need for further reinforcements.
Arne Slot’s side are still looking to bring in Marc Guehi before the 7pm cut-off with an approach for the Crystal Palace captain formalised over the weekend.
The England international could conceivably walk straight into the backline if Ibrahima Konate’s withdrawal proves to be more than a simple case of cramp.
Hopes of the Reds adding Alexander Isak to the ranks appear less promising as Newcastle’s want-away marksman continues to play the waiting game.
Granted, the conduct towards his current employers leaves a lot to be desired but desperate times often cause for desperate measures – players included.
Isak would alleviate the burden on Hugo Ekitike, who struggled to build on his impressive start against a robust Gunners’ defence in this cagey stalemate.
Any deal still has to work for Liverpool but it could be the difference between their opening close-run encounters becoming a recurring theme this season.
In his time as Liverpool head coach, Slot has become a master of reinvention.
Ryan Gravenberch’s new lease of life in the no.6 role and regularly deploying Wataru Endo as an auxiliary centre-back are his two quantifiable successes.
He has now has a third Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back following Jeremie Frimpong’s hamstring injury on the opening night against Bournemouth.
The Hungary captain’s versatility was on full display against Mikel Arteta’s perennial bridesmaids as he deputised for the summer recruit once more.
Szoboszlai’s presence in defence helped nullify the threat of Gabriel Martinelli and latterly Eberechi Eze as the visitors failed to fully test the champions.
But he still produced the key attributes that Frimpong, briefly, and Trent Alexander-Arnold before him unleashed in the final third from deep.
Then there was arguably the finest taken free kick which The Kop has ever had the privilege to greet just eight minutes from the end of normal time.
As cheat codes go, Slot may have just unearthed his finest yet.
As reigning champions, Liverpool are very much here to be shot at.
Even at this early stage, however, it is difficult to see where their most likely challengers will emerge within the Premier League’s traditional top six clubs.
Arsenal’s inability to lay a glove, in a winless run at Anfield now dating back over 13 years, suggests they are incapable of running the title gauntlet.
Manchester City’s travails, similarly, do not inspire confidence that they will be reigniting the intense rivalry with Merseyside that dominated the early 2020s.
Nor will Manchester United find their way back near the perch which they once aspired to knock Liverpool off, only for the natural order to be restored.
The only legitimate conenders currently look set to emanate from Arsenal’s two London rivals in Chelsea and Tottenham; both enjoying promising starts.
Yet the Lilywhites’ penchant for capitulation and the perennially combustible nature of the world champions’ ecosystem render their credentials dubious.
A lot can happen over the course of the campaign with twists and turns but three games in, the greatest threat to Liverpool’s crown may be from within.