A wonderful 32-yard free-kick from Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai was the difference between last season’s champions Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield stadium on Sunday Aug. 31. Last season, Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy, and Arsenal came in second for a third consecutive time. They faced off twice last season, both ending in a 2-2 draw.
Arsenal has not won at Anfield since 2012, when current Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, was playing in the game that saw Arsenal win 2-1.
Before the game, Liverpool star player Mohamed Salah was asked by Sky Sports about who could win the Premier League. “This year Arsenal is number one,” Salah said.
The first half started with Arsenal star defender William Saliba sustaining an injury and being substituted in the fifth minute of the game. This continues the injury crisis at Arsenal, which already had the likes of Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz sitting out before the game.
In the 60th minute, Liverpool’s new striker, Hugo Ekitike, scored by getting the ball in the back of the net after a rebound by Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya. However, the goal was quickly disallowed for offside by Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo, who was involved in the play prior to the goal.
Ten minutes later, Arsenal’s new signing Eberechi Eze, who was acquired from Crystal Palace for €69 million according to TransferMarket, made his Arsenal debut coming on for Gabriel Martinelli.
Eze was acquired after a fantastic season for Crystal Palace, during which he managed to score eight goals and eight assists, as well as the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.It wasn’t until the 83rd minute that a goal was made, and it was a fantastic free-kick strike from Szobozlai.
The ball was 32 yards out from the goal and was shot as a knuckleball that hit the post and went in, leaving Raya with no chance of saving it. The goal ended up being the only one in the game, giving Liverpool three points. They currently sit alone at the top of the Premier League with nine out of nine possible points. Chelsea is following with seven points in second, while Arsenal, along with four other teams, sits in third with six points.
