DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI’S sensational free-kick was the difference as Liverpool earned a massive win over Arsenal.
Here’s what SunSport’s Charlie Wyett learned about the new-look champions…
A NEW RECORD
It looked as though Liverpool would not find a way past Arsenal keeper David Raya until a moment of brilliance from Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Hungarian’s stunning winner meant the Reds set a new club record of scoring in 37 consecutive games in the top-flight.
Their current run of 36 was level with a run between March 2019 and February 2020.
Also impressive is the fact they have now scored in 40 of their 41 games under Arne Slot which is 97.5 per cent, the highest percentage by any manager in Premier League history.
Against Arsenal, they only managed three shots on target and this was a reminder that Liverpool fans must be patient with new arrivals Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
Wirtz, who has arrived in a deal worth £116.6m, was guilty of playing too deeply as the no 10 position and he was far too close to Declan Rice to cause problems at the other end.
This also meant that there was often a huge gap between Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike although the £79m signing from Frankfurt thought he had scored the opener although it was ruled out for offside.
In the end, they were bailed out by Szoboszlai.
LIFE AFTER TRENT
Trent Alexander-Arnold will be returning to Anfield on November 4 for his Champions League trip with Real Madrid and he will certainly need his earplugs in.
By then, you will assume that central midfielder Szoboszlai will not still be starting at right-back although he certainly impressed – and he pinged some crossfield passes which Alexander-Arnold would have been proud. And then he scored the blockbuster winner.
Szoboszlai started in this position for a second successive game due to £29m new arrival Jeremie Frimpong suffering a hamstring injury on his Premier League debut against Bournemouth.
Conor Bradley, who returned from a hamstring injury himself to come off the bench at Newcastle, will have been annoyed at not starting yesterday.
Slot also has other options as a right-back as Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez can play there.
SOLID AS A ROCK
Alisson had only faced six shots in his previous two games but conceded four goals.
Yet Liverpool, quite rightly criticised against Bournemouth and Newcastle, defended well throughout against Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s team are known for being devastating at corners but although they had eight at Anfield, they did not threaten.
Declan Rice was trying outswinging corners to try and bend the ball away from Alisson although centre-back Ibrahima Konate was particularly impressive.
He has been a bit ropey in these opening few weeks and you can see why Liverpool are still hoping to secure Marc Guehi, however unlikely this might now be.
But Konate played well and his fine performance was ruined near the end when he went off the pitch with cramp.
Three wins from three is a decent start for the champions, particularly as they have not played that well.
Read the full article here