Liverpool player ratings vs Arsenal: Szoboszlai magic bails out Wirtz and 5/10 strugglers
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(Image: Getty)Dominik Szoboszlai sent Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table after a special free-kick from 30 yards sealed a 1-0 victory over fellow title rivals Arsenal.
The Reds are the only team to walk away from their first three fixtures with nine points and move above previous leaders Chelsea.
The hosts had the ball in the Anfield net on the hour mark, with Hugo Ekitike bundling it home following a rebound from Florian Wirtz's shot, but the assistant raised his flag and the striker was deemed offside.
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Both teams pushed for a late winner, as Arsenal threw captain Martin Odegaard and debutant Eberechi Eze on from the bench, but it was Liverpool who got over the line after some divine inspiration from their midfielder-turned-right-back.
Substitute Curtis Jones had won a free-kick after a smart turn, before Szoboszlai struck a bullet into the top corner.
Here, Express Sport has taken a look at Liverpool's stars from the match...
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Goalkeeper
Alisson - 6
Darted out well early to claim a loose ball and thwart a potentially dangerous moment, before stopping Noni Madueke's effort from range in the first half.
Szoboszlai then made a cross-field pass to Cody Gakpo in the second half that will remind many of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Then the second incarnation of the England full-back arrived on centre stage when he perfectly struck a 30-yard free-kick into the top corner and wheeled away in celebration to the Kop.
There was little surprise when he was the first Liverpool player to be taken off, replaced by Jones.
Florian Wirtz - 5
In his first two matches, Wirtz struggled with the Premier League's physicality, and he was unable to leave his mark once again against Arsenal.
The £116million signing struggled against a combative Gunners midfield of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Mikel Merino and could not get high enough up the pitch.
Wirtz will be desperate to play Burnley next in a game where his side should dominate possession.
(Image: Getty)
Substitutes
Curtis Jones (60') - 7
Given 30 minutes in midfield, while Szoboszlai remained in defence, and was immediately able to provide more of a link to Gakpo on the left.