The clash between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield promised intensity, speed, and a battle of power between two of the top contenders for the Premier League 2025/26 crown. It delivered, though in an unexpected way: more physical than technical, scrappy rather than sparkling, with few clear chances and the sense that both sides are still searching for peak form. In the end, one moment of brilliance proved decisive.

How Did the Winning Goal Arrive at Anfield?

It all came down to the 82nd minute. With a central free-kick from over 20 meters out, Dominik Szoboszlai, deployed at right-back by Arne Slot, stepped up. His strike was a masterpiece—power, curl, and precision. The ball clipped the post before nestling into the net, leaving David Raya rooted to the spot.

The stunning goal shattered Arsenal’s resistance and gave Liverpool a victory that was more about mentality than footballing fluency.

How Balanced Was the Match?

The first half was more chaos than creativity. There were only a handful of shots: efforts from Cody Gakpo and Noni Madueke, along with long-range strikes from Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, none of which seriously threatened. Without Bukayo Saka or Martin Ødegaard, Arsenal lacked attacking spark, while Mohamed Salah was kept quiet by a disciplined back line.

The second half followed a similar rhythm. A volley from Florian Wirtz forced Raya into a save, and Hugo Ekitike scored on the rebound, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. From that moment, Liverpool grew stronger, pushed higher, and ultimately found the breakthrough through Szoboszlai’s free-kick.

What Does This Victory Mean for Liverpool in the Premier League?

With the win, Liverpool secured a perfect nine points from their opening three matches, making them the only team with a flawless record after early stumbles from rivals such as Tottenham and Arsenal.

Beyond the standings, Szoboszlai’s moment of magic reinforced confidence in a squad still adapting to big-money arrivals like Florian Wirtz (€125m) and Hugo Ekitike (€95m). Meanwhile, the Reds know they will need Salah at his best to sustain their title push.

A Statement of Authority at Anfield

Liverpool may not have dazzled, but they struck when it mattered most. In a gritty, hard-fought contest, a moment of brilliance from Dominik Szoboszlai was enough to defeat Arsenal and keep the reigning champions on top of the Premier League standings.