Dominik Szoboszlai's sensational free-kick maintained Liverpool's winning start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, as they beat title rivals Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield.
Last season's top two were the only teams defending perfect records by Sunday, but it looked as though they would have to settle for a point apiece until the 83rd minute, when Szoboszlai provided a moment of magic.
Arsenal were without Bukayo Saka due to a hamstring issue and started with captain Martin Odegaard on the bench, while they suffered a further blow when William Saliba was forced off injured early on.
Mikel Arteta's depleted side still looked set to escape with a point, but Szoboszlai whipped a spectacular dead-ball effort against David Raya's right-hand post and in.
The result ensures the champions will spend the international break top of the table as the only team on maximum points, with Arsenal in third.
Arsenal had to replace Saliba with Cristhian Mosquera after just five minutes, though the Gunners limited Liverpool to one wayward effort from Cody Gakpo in the early stages.
Noni Madueke's volley forced Alisson Becker into a smart save, while Virgil van Dijk passed up a great chance to shoot at the other end in what was a quiet first half.
Liverpool had the ball in the net around the hour via Hugo Ekitike, but the goal was disallowed as Gakpo was offside when he followed up on Raya's save from a Florian Wirtz strike, before the Frenchman prodded home.
However, Szoboszlai sparked wild celebrations at the Kop end when, from over 30 yards out, he curled a vicious shot over the Arsenal wall and beyond Raya's dive.
Having been thrown on alongside Odegaard as a substitute, Arsenal debutant Eberechi Eze embarked on one threatening run into the area, but he failed to get a shot away under pressure from Joe Gomez as Liverpool held on.
Another Liverpool late show
Sunday's match had been billed as a clash between the irresistible force of Liverpool and the immovable object of Arsenal, with the result likely to offer some clues about the destination of the title.
The first half ended with groans of frustration from the home fans, as the likes of Mohamed Salah, Wirtz and Gakpo failed to get into the game.
Wirtz finally came to life when his left-footed strike was spilled by Raya, but Gakpo was clearly offside as he rushed onto the loose ball, causing Ekitike's close-range finish to be chalked off.
Liverpool had already had to dig deep for dramatic victories over AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United, with Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha providing the late heroics in those matches.
This time, it was Szoboszlai – who enjoyed another excellent performance in an unfamiliar right-back role – that grabbed the headlines.
Liverpool have arguably not displayed their best levels in any of their three matches this season, but they end August on maximum points and having scored in 37 successive Premier League games – a new club record.
It looks bright for Arne Slot ahead of a trip to Burnley on September 14. And Liverpool could look even stronger by then, with Marc Guehi and Alexander Isak still being linked with moves to Anfield, although Ibrahima Konate did go off injured.
No statement result for Arteta
Arteta has made Arsenal a tough nut to crack in the games that matter most – Arsenal did not lose a single Premier League match against a 'Big Six' rival last season, while they opened 2025/26 with a gritty 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
However, Arsenal have not won at either Anfield or the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League under Arteta, and there is a sense that he needs a statement result at the home of a title rival. His wait for such a victory goes on.
The early loss of Saliba could have knocked Arsenal's composure, particularly with Saka sidelined by a hamstring injury and Odegaard only fit enough for a place on the bench.
But substitute Mosquera did not look out of place at the back, while Madueke carried the fight to Liverpool throughout the first half.
A string of corners also had the away fans out of their seats, but Declan Rice repeatedly failed to pick out a team-mate.
And in the second half, it felt as though Arsenal were content to leave with a point, with Viktor Gyokeres isolated as the Gunners failed to record an attempt on target after the interval.
Szoboszlai's moment of brilliance ensured Arsenal left empty-handed, and one wonders how important that strike will prove next May. After the international break, Arteta's side will look for a response at home to Nottingham Forest.
Liverpool asserted their authority after the restart and Ekitike saw a goal ruled out for offside – the forward bundled home the loose ball after Raya had palmed away a fizzing attempt by Florian Wirtz – on the hour.
Anfield sensed the growing momentum as the Reds attacked the Kop end and increased the decibel level accordingly.
The champions probed and pushed Arsenal back, with Gravenberch just over-hitting a pass that would have set Ekitike in one-on-one with Raya.
And, with 83 minutes on the clock, Szoboszlai produced what may end up being the club’s, and indeed the Premier League’s, Goal of the Season as he struck a vicious, dipping free-kick perfectly into the top corner.
Inevitably, Arsenal then pressed forward in search of an equaliser and Joe Gomez – on in place of the injured Ibrahima Konate – denied Viktor Gyokeres by beating the striker to a cross and clearing the ball behind.
Slot’s team then stood firm during an agonising seven minutes of stoppage time to claim all three points.
Attendance: 60,455
