Liverpool collected a brilliant three Premier League points on Sunday after beating Arsenal 1-0.
Both sides came into the game having had perfect starts to the campaign, and it ultimately took something special to separate them.
Liverpool will perhaps be a little disappointed with their overall display on the whole, and were staring at a slightly concerning 0-0 draw against the Gunners.
Although Arne Slot may well have settled for a point, Dominik Szoboszlai had other ideas.
After a top performance at right-back, Szoboszlai delivered a Cristiano Ronaldo-like moment to hammer a stunning free-kick past David Raya.
It was a strike that will live long in the memory from the Hungarian, and speaking after the game, Raya suggested the ball may have played a part in the goal.
Dominik Szoboszlai scores a brilliant free-kick for Liverpool against Arsenal in the Premier League at Anfield.
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
David Raya makes point about new Puma balls
Up until Szoboszlai’s show-stopping moment, there had not been nearly enough quality from either side at Anfield. Arsenal were arguably the better side, but created little of note to trouble Alisson Becker.
Then at the other end, Alisson’s counterpart Raya was a mere spectator as he watched Szoboszlai’s strike sail past him.
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It was the first time the Spaniard had been beaten in the Premier League this season, and speaking to Sky Sports after the game, he suggested that the new Puma ball was perhaps a reason for Szoboszlai’s goal being unsavable.
“It’s different to the Nike ball so we have to adapt to it,” Raya said. “The grip is different, the kick is different. We just have to adapt after playing with the Nike ball for many years. It’s the same for everybody.”
Looking back on the goal itself, the Arsenal keeper admitted that, ball issues aside, it had been a ‘hell of a strike’ from Szoboszlai.
“I haven’t seen it back yet,” he said. “Disappointed not to save it like every goal you concede. I think it’s a hell of a strike. I remember the ball moving a lot and moving away from me. Hopefully, the next one I can save.
“It’s a very good strike especially with the new balls and everything. We still have to adapt. It’s going away from me so it’s harder to gauge and save it.”
Dominik Szoboszlai is Liverpool’s new free-kick taker.
Part of the reason Raya may not have been quite expecting the hit from Szoboszlai was because he very rarely takes free-kicks.
However, since Trent Alexander-Arnold departed, the 24-year-old has just put himself first in line for permanent duties.
“I should mention Trent because he was taking the free-kicks in the past. Finally I could have my chance and did it,” Szoboszlai said immediately after the game.
He may not stick it in the top corner with such aplomb every time, but he may just get a few more opportunities to show his quality moving forwards.