Dominik Szoboszlai's heroics carry title warning as Arsenal suffer same sinking feeling

It is probably a bit too early to call it a Goal of the Season contender. But Dominik Szoboszlai’s sensational match-winner did feel like a defining moment even after just three games.

There was a deafening roar inside Anfield at the final whistle to greet Liverpool’s win because every fan will know just how much it means. Liverpool had to grind it out. It was ugly at times. Turgid and instantly forgettable other than Szoboszlai’s magnificent late free kick.

But it was no wonder the Kop sang “Champions, champions” over and over again. This wonderful old stadium knows what it takes to win titles - and Liverpool have got it in abundance.

Liverpool have been nowhere near their best in any of their opening three games but they have got maximum points on the board because each time they have dug deep, fought and emerged victorious.

There is no better example of that spirit than Szoboszlai because we are used to him as an elegant, stylish midfielder and yet suddenly he finds himself at right back.

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With Trent Alexander-Arnold gone and Jeremie Frimpong injured, Szoboszlai is doing a job for the team at right back. His distribution and quality means he has always got time and space on the ball.

Then when the big moment came with just seven minutes left, up stepped Szoboszlai with a sensational free kick which looked about 30 yards out.

Somehow Szoboszlai got the ball up and over the wall, got enough dip and bend to beat Arsenal keeper David Raya as his free kick crashed in off the inside of the post.

It was a fabulous goal. Completely out of keeping with the rest of the game. A cynic might suggest the Premier League have front loaded the fixture schedule with heavyweight clashes to boost the hard sell of a new TV deal.

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But the flip side is that both of these title heavyweights looked undercooked. Liverpool have yet to find their rhythm and you wonder if they will look different after the transfer window closes. They could do with Alexander Isak.

Arsenal, however, should only look at themselves. Let’s be clear: Mikel Arteta set his team up to come for a point. The handbrake was on. It looks good if you get it - and very bad if it does not work.

Viktor Gyokeres was dreadful up front. Arsenal’s £64m striker looked sluggish, slow and was bullied by Ibrahima Konate who hardly gave him a kick.

There was no movement, pace and he struggled to hold the ball up. Frankly, the ex-Coventry City striker looked like a Coventry striker. Scoring goals in Portugal for Sporting Lisbon is one thing. The Premier League is a totally different challenge. He needs to improve - and fast.

Arteta packed his midfield and used Mikel Merino rather than rolling the dice by starting Eberechi Eze. Eze did more in his 20 minutes as a substitute on his debut than Gabriel Martinelli managed before he was substituted.

And, all too predictably, Arsenal got yet another injury as William Saliba limped off after just six minutes. New signing Cristhian Mosquera came on and was solid enough.

We are three games into the season and Bukayo Saka, Saliba and Kai Havertz have all suffered injuries. Saliba is probably more bad luck. But this cannot be a coincidence and questions surely need to be asked.

The game does not deserve to be sugar-coated. It was woeful. Arsenal winger Noni Madueke had a few nice moments. Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike had the ball in the net. But there was an offside.

Make no mistake, Liverpool were beginning to turn the screw when they scored. But there was nothing in it. Martin Zubimendi’s clumsy foul conceded a free kick but it looked a long way out.

Szoboszlai stepped up and won it with an unforgettable moment and also sets a new club record of scoring in a 37th top flight game.

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