Liverpool put a huge marker down by taking skin from Arsenal thanks to the top performing player in the Premier League, and the timing of this gigantic fixture – on the eve of the transfer window closing – has played straight into Arne Slot‘s hands…
Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
Premier League (3) | Anfield
August 31, 2025
Goal: Szoboszlai 83′
1. Alexander Isak must be signed
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 31, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It feels like a strange request to make, given Liverpool’s summer transfer window has been lavish on the spending front and high-end in terms of the shopping tastes.
Some of the most exciting players on the continent have arrived in positions that the Reds most needed – but let’s make no mistake about it, another elite calibre forward has to come through the door.
Here was evidence enough. Perfect evidence, in fact – such a game couldn’t have been better timed to arrive on the cusp of the transfer window closing.
The perfect case study of where we’re at was laid down before all eyes, and most saliently those of John W Henry and the powers that be at FSG. Liverpool are defending champions and a seriously formidable football team – but attacking personnel is needed, a real killer of a forward, and Alexander Isak remains pushing for his Anfield switch.
It’s a remarkable market opportunity, and the big decision makers need to jump at it, or regrets will be had.
It simply has to get done. It’s been messy, ugly and untoward. But the bottom line is that the deal remains active, and must be seen through.
Liverpool came up against arguably their biggest contenders today, at home, and were seriously up against it. A sublime, otherworldly free-kick was the difference, but the Reds would’ve benefitted from a ruthless goal-getter this afternoon.
Hugo Ekitike is an incredibly bright light, burning with potential – but he needs patience and tasted the first difference between the step-up in standard today, as Arsenal brought a whole new level of Premier League intensity and physicality.
You only better your rivals by blowing them out of the water, and in Isak the torpedo is ready and waiting.
2. The Szoboszlai and Wirtz conundrum
3CH5TTC Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai (centre right) celebrates scoring their side's first goal with team-mates during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday August 31, 2025.
Dominik Szoboszlai is the Premier League‘s best footballer right now. His start to the campaign has been nothing less than outstanding.
This isn’t praise for someone who is willingly playing out of position – a compliment of self-sacrifice. No, this is the waxing lyrical for a footballer who is filling in at right-back and, in turn, looking like the best right-back in the division.
The exhaustive, endless work rate of the Hungary captain was never in doubt but this lad is applying it in multi-dimensions. Pressing, tackling, link-up, sequencing, pulling up the line and all with inexplicable passing range.
Here, we saw Szoboszlai in effect recreate the Trent Alexander-Arnold full-back role, which is perhaps one of the all-time White Whales of football positions.
It’s to the absolute joy of the manager, but it does pose a question of the knock-on effects, and namely that of Florian Wirtz, who Slot says was given a “welcome to the Premier League.”
The record signing is still understandably getting up to the pace and sussing out the requirements of this league. He’s 22, his touches and influence are at times divine, but the overall impact isn’t quite there – yet.
But it begs the question; what becomes of the tactical tweaks if Szoboszlai continues in this manner? The whole sales pitch behind replacing Trent’s unique role was to draft in Wirtz as the free-roaming 10.
At Anfield, Liverpool reverted back here. Wirtz was largely quelled, but a certain No. 8 had enough strings to his bow to flip back to the old script. Going forward a compromise will have to be sussed out. Over to you, Arne.
3. Milos Kerkez prevails
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 31, 2025: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He’s learning, this was more than evidence enough. The start of the season has been a baptism of fire for Kerkez – for all his energy and willingness, the application has been all wrong.
Perhaps this is where we see the major difference in player management and usage between the Jurgen Klopp and Slot eras. Under the previous boss, players would be signed and almost instantly whisked away undercover for weeks, completing a meticulous training and acclimatisation programme.
Fabinho and Andy Robertson, anyone?
Slot is different. Players are thrust into the driver’s seat while the wheels are fully spinning and in a state of acceleration. Kerkez has struggled as a result, but the teething signs are reducing.
Here the Hungarian stood strong, held both his nerve and temper as frustrations with the Noni Madueke duels cranked through the gears.
He was showered with contrite praise by the captain on multiple occasions, after a number of key last-ditch challenges. Ended the game by piggybacking Martin Zubimendi and somehow finding enough energy in his locker to blitz a newly subbed on 15-year-old for pace, and set free Federico Chiesa for a crucial breakaway counter.
He didn’t just survive this match, he started to thrive. This performance was greatly needed.
4. Arne Slot’s subs form a plea
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 31, 2025: Liverpool's Arne Slot during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The difference from the previous campaign is very apparent. Last season Slot used his subs with a lot of logic and astute timing.
This was the squad of his predecessor, of course. It was all part of the agreement that Slot would work with the pre-existing tools, and make the absolute best of what he had. It ended in a Premier League title, and the Dutchman could not have proved his credentials any more.
Now, however, Slot is working with his own weapons, and it feels like the hints are there that the gaffer wants and needs more.
Introducing Curtis Jones for Alexis Mac Allister was fairly like-for-like, given the Argentine is not yet fully match fit.
But the turning to Chiesa as the out-and-out No. 9… that was a cause for question. Slot wants a striker, he wants the Isak deal done.
For as brilliant and endearing as Chiesa can be in flashes, the manager does not trust him as his sole forward. Last season he was reluctant to lean on this option, perennially. Now, he’s doing it because he has to.
5. Advantage Liverpool, but Arsenal will be a force
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 31, 2025: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté and Arsenal's Viktor Gyökeres during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
These three points feel huge, and they are. It’s an early win over a big rival and a huge confidence raft with which to sail off into the international break with.
But Arsenal were a composed, solid and serious unit. They turned up in the bubble of noise that is Anfield and really revealed their wingspan.
Monday’s headlines will carry sentiments of the Gunners still not having the minerals to get it done, or hint of a late bottle.
Students of this game we all know and love will, however, appreciate what Arsenal have done here. They showed up and gave Liverpool a proper game in their own backyard.
They’ll be in the thick of the title race come May.