Not for the first time in recent seasons, Arsenal find themselves in Liverpool’s slipstream.
Mikel Arteta’s perennial bridesmaids again came up short when it really mattered to underline the lack of true belief in the Arsenal camp that they can be serious title contenders.
Arne Slot’s side atop an embryonic table with the only remaining 100% record. The vanquished Gunners sit third after a first defeat of the season, Chelsea currently in the first losers’ spot Arteta’s side have made their own for the past three seasons.
Arteta was part of the most recent Arsenal side to emerge victorious from this corner of Merseyside 13 years ago, and the Spaniard said: “There was nothing between the sides and it was always going to be decided by an individual error or moment of magic.
“It’s a disappointing result but I’m proud of my players. We have to find a way to win these big matches and you have to put the ball in the net when you have it.”
In truth, this was a game that didn’t deserve a goal of such quality to decide it. That will matter little to the hosts, who struck a significant early blow in their attempt to defend their Premier League crown thanks to a moment of inspiration from Dominik Szoboszlai.
Just seven minutes remained of a largely turgid contest when the Hungarian international exacted maximum punishment for Martin Zubimendi’s seemingly innocuous foul on Curtis Jones just over 30 yards from goal.
From a central position, the midfielder who has been pressed into service as an emergency right-back sent a wonderful set-piece over the wall and into the top corner via David Raya’s right-hand post. The first goal Arsenal have conceded this season may well be the best they’ll ship all year.
“It felt a fair way out but I thought I’ll take a risk,” the match-winner said. After taking over set-piece duties following Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Real Madrid, he added: “I had confidence in myself and finally I’ve scored from a free-kick! This kind of shot I’ve not practiced for the past few weeks because we’ve been working on free-kicks that are a little bit closer.”
Raya could be forgiven for pining for the return of the Nike footballs used before they were replaced this season by ones made by rival sportswear firm Puma. The Spaniard explained: “It’s different to the Nike ball so we have to adapt. The grip is different, the kick is different but we have to adapt after using the Nike ball for many years. It’s the same for everybody.
“Of course I’m disappointed not to save the free-kick but it’s a hell of a strike, a magical moment. The ball moved a lot as it moved away from me. Hopefully I can save the next one.”
Szoboszlai’s split-second moment of skill glossed-over what was in large an Anfield anti-climax as the top two English clubs from last season huffed and puffed their way towards what seemed an inevitable stalemate until the unexpected late twist to stretch Arsenal’s 15-match winless run at this venue.
Liverpool had shared 11 goals in posting swashbuckling victories in their first two matches, but for the majority of the contest, they couldn’t find a way through Arsenal’s cream wall. It took them until the final 20 minutes to force their first corner.
As solid as they were at the back, coping seamlessly with the early loss through injury of William Saliba, Arsenal were desperately lacking going forward, even against a defence as suspect as Slot’s backline has been this season.
The anonymous Viktor Gyokeres underlined just how much of a flat-track bully he will be this season against any half-decent opponents, and not even the late introduction of Eberechi Eze from the bench could spark them into life.
The only urgency they showed was after the concession of the goal and by then it was too late to breathe life into a moribund attacking display as not for the first time here they paid the price for a lack of ambition.
Virgil van Dijk set the risk-averse tone early on, refusing to shoot with a wholly presentable chance on the edge of the Arsenal area when intercepting a woeful Raya attempt to play out from the back.
In a rare Arsenal foray, Alisson had to get down smartly to his right to keep out Noni Madueke’s 18-yard shot. Liverpool had the ball in the net just after the hour, but Hugo Ekitike’s follow-up effort was ruled out for offside against Cody Gakpo after Raya spilled a Florian Wirtz shot.
A first stalemate between the sides for a decade seemed on the cards until Szoboszlai stepped up in front of the Kop to maintain the Champions’ perfect start in the most memorable fashion.
The clean sheet was almost as pleasing as the outcome for Slot, who joked: “We were far too open against Bournemouth so we thought let’s make it a boring game.”
The Liverpool boss added: “It’s a massive positive to beat Arsenal and we’ll know at the end of the season exactly what it’s worth.”
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson 8; Szoboszlai 9, Konate 7 (Gomez 79, 7), van Dijk 7, Kerkez 8; Gravenberch 7, MacAllister 6 (Jones 61, 7); Salah 6, Wirtz 6 (Endo 89, 6), Gakpo 6; Ekitike 6 (Chiesa 79, 6). Booked: Gravenberch, Endo.
Arsenal (4-3-3): Raya6; Timber 6, Saliba 5 (Mosquera 6, 6), Gabriel 7, Calafiori 6; Merino 6 (Odegaard 70, 6) , Zubimendi 6, Rice 6; Madueke 6, Gyokeres 3, Martinelli 5 (Eze 70, 5). Booked: Gyokeres, Zubimendi.
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
Story by Irish Examiner
