[The Champions secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Arsenal](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/dominik-szoboszlais-stunning-late-free-kick-sees-liverpool-beat-arsenal-anfield) in an early-season title clash at Anfield in their third Premier League match of the 2025/26 season.
Arsenal suffered an early blow with the injury to William Saliba just five minutes into the game, forcing him off with Cristhian Mosquera replacing him.
Both teams battled it out and were evenly matched in the first half, finishing the half with a goalless draw.
In the 60th minute, Florian Wirtz turned and hit an excellent shot on the turn, forcing David Raya to spill the ball, and Hugo Ekitike bundled home the rebound, but the flag was raised up as he was clearly offside.
10 minutes later, Eberechi Eze came on for his well-anticipated Arsenal debut, replacing Gabriel Martinelli on the flank.
The only goal came late in the second half from a stunning free kick by Dominik Szoboszlai from 30 yards out, beating Raya with a powerful curling shot that went into the top corner.
In the closing stages of the match, Wirtz was withdrawn due to an injury, and he was replaced by Wataru Endo.
**•** Liverpool have now scored in 37 consecutive Premier League matches, their longest ever run of consecutive games scored in top-flight history.
**•** Arsenal suffered their first away Premier League defeat since losing 1-0 to Newcastle United in November 2024, ending a run of 15 away games unbeaten.
**•** Dominik Szoboszlai became the first player to score a direct free-kick in a Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal since Philippe Coutinho in August 2016 and the first at Anfield since a Patrik Berger strike in August 1999.
The win puts Liverpool at the top of the table with nine points from a possible nine. Arsenal remain in third place with six points after suffering their first defeat of the season, just behind Chelsea in second position with seven points.