Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal (Szoboszlai 83’)
Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick helped Liverpool lay down an early marker against fellow Premier League title contenders Arsenal.
Arsenal had already been dealt an early blow when William Saliba hobbled off inside five minutes, but they initially weathered this setback as Liverpool looked the more subdued in the first half.
The hosts failed to record a shot on target, while Arsenal managed just one, making for a second half that could only get better.
“Liverpool can’t be any worse,” Roy Keane said on Sky Sports at half-time, while Jamie Carragher said “the game is there for Arsenal”.
After the break, Liverpool had a goal ruled out on the hour-mark with Hugo Ekitike offside and went on to dominate the final stages of the match.
And from 32 yards out, Szoboszlai curled in a beauty. “He has no right to score from there,” Gary Neville said on commentary, and it was enough for Liverpool to collect a huge three points.
Dominik Szoboszlai. WOW.
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025pic.twitter.com/AmSa5lVgcx
Here’s how every player from Liverpool and Arsenal rated out of 10:
Liverpool player ratings
Alisson Becker: Not an especially busy afternoon in goal, but made sharp save to deny Madueke when called upon 7/10
Dominik Szoboszlai: Excellent performance out of position at right-back and then a goal worthy of winning any game 9/10
Milos Kerkez: Just about held his own in duel with pacy Madueke, with series of well-timed challenges 7/10
Ibrahima Konate: Much more assured than in previous games this season as he helped keep Gyokeres quiet 7/10
Virgil van Dijk: Messed up attack after making excellent interception but otherwise a solid display from defensive titan 7/10
Ryan Gravenberch: Snatched long range strike well wide as he attempted to recreate heroics from Monday’s visit to St James’ Park. Otherwise tidy 7/10
Alexis Mac Allister: As busy as anyone in high intensity midfield battle. Excellent pass to split Arsenal defence for Wirtz chance 7/10
Mohamed Salah: Quiet afternoon from the man who has so often decided big games for Liverpool, with several misplaced passes and heavy touches ending promising attacks 5/10
Florian Wirtz: Dropped too deep as he struggled to find time and space. Misunderstandings with Salah and Ekitike show record signing is not bedded in yet 5/10
Cody Gakpo: Lively on left wing even if final product let him down. Failed to trouble Raya after cutting in and finding space on two occasions 6/10
Hugo Ekitike: Tough afternoon as he struggled to impose himself against strong Arsenal defence. A yard offside for disallowed goal and replaced by Chiesa 5/10
Substitutes:
Curtis Jones: 5/10
Joe Gomez: 5/10
Federico Chiesa: 5/10
Wataru Endo: 5/10
Arsenal player ratings
David Raya: Some risky passes put his side under pressure and left Neville perplexed on Sky Sports’ commentary – not at fault for the goal despite the distance from where it was struck 6/10
Jurrien Timber: Saw plenty of the ball down the right and troubled Kerkez as much as Madueke did 7/10
William Saliba: Off injured inside five minutes – another early-season concern for the Gunners. n/a
Gabriel: Captain for the day, looked solid despite losing his regular partner early on 6/10
Riccardo Calafiori: Not on the same page as Timber when otherwise Arsenal might have created a chance to break the deadlock, and then did well to stifle Salah as Liverpool improved 6/10
Martin Zubimendi: Escaped a booking when fouling Gakpo and otherwise relatively quiet 6/10
Declan Rice: Beyond a free-kick that almost landed the other side of the Mersey, a typically marauding display was countered by frustrating delivery from corners – a rarity for Arsenal 6/10
Mikel Merino: Started ahead of Martin Odegaard (who was not 100 per cent fit) and sloppy in possession early on, otherwise he barely did anything of note before coming off with 20 minutes remaining 5/10
Noni Madueke: Very lively and often troubling Kerkez. “He’s been a spark,” said Gary Neville on commentary, but that never quite materialised into a goal 8/10
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Gabriel Martinelli: Questionable decision-making in the final third and subbed off with 20 minutes to go – not exactly making his case amid Eze’s arrival 4/10
Viktor Gyokeres: Showed endeavour but saw little of the ball – not enough to really trouble Liverpool’s defence 5/10
Substitutes:
Cristhian Mosquera: On early for Saliba, a big test and not one he failed despite the scoreline 6/10
Eberechi Eze: On with 20 minutes to go, but despite some flashes did not see enough of the ball 6/10
Martin Odegaard: On at the same time as Eze, almost threaded through the perfect pass for Gyokeres had his striker been on the same page 6/10
Max Dowman: n/a
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