Szoboszlai’s Magic Free-Kick Sinks Arsenal at Anfield
Liverpool and Arsenal, last season’s Premier League champions and runners-up, faced off at Anfield in what was billed as one of the early blockbusters of the campaign. On paper, it was a meeting of two superpowers. In reality, for most of the evening, it felt like a tense chess match with little space, few risks, and very few clear chances. But just when it seemed destined to finish goalless, one man stepped up with a flash of brilliance to change the story.
The defining moment arrived in the 83rd minute. Dominik Szoboszlai, the Hungarian midfielder whose technique has been honed by years of practice, was handed a free-kick from around 30 yards out. The crowd at the Kop rose in expectation, and Szoboszlai delivered with a strike of pure perfection. The ball swerved and dipped beyond the reach of Arsenal keeper David Raya, who could only stretch and watch as it flew into the net. Anfield erupted, and Liverpool had their breakthrough.
Also Read:Until that point, the match had been tight and cautious. Arsenal were hit early when William Saliba limped off after just five minutes, forcing Mikel Arteta to bring on summer signing Cristhian Mosquera. That disruption unsettled the Gunners, though they regrouped and matched Liverpool stride for stride in midfield. Both teams defended set-pieces well, and clear chances were rare. Liverpool thought they had taken the lead on the hour when Hugo Ekitike bundled the ball home, only to be denied by the offside flag.
The tactical battle carried on, with Arsenal trying to frustrate Liverpool by keeping numbers behind the ball and looking for quick breaks. But as the second half wore on, the home side began to pile on more pressure. Manager Arne Slot admitted afterward that the game had felt cagey, but insisted his side gained the upper hand as it wore on. For him, and for the Kop faithful, the wait for a breakthrough was worth it.
For Arsenal, it was a bitter end. They had controlled spells of possession and even kept Liverpool quieter than most teams manage at Anfield. But as Arteta conceded after the final whistle, big games are often decided by a moment of brilliance. This time, it was Szoboszlai who provided it. Raya later admitted the new Premier League ball moved unpredictably in the air, but regardless, the strike was unstoppable.
The result leaves Liverpool with three wins from three, all of them decided late, underlining once again what champions do best: find a way to win even when not at their fluent best. Arsenal, meanwhile, must regroup after their first defeat of the season, knowing that their title rivals have already laid down another marker.
At the end of the day, Anfield witnessed a contest of patience, resilience, and, ultimately, one unforgettable piece of magic. And that’s how Liverpool edged Arsenal—by the smallest of margins, but in the biggest of moments.
Read More:
0 Comments