Liverpool beat Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday, as a moment of magic from Dominik Szoboszlai decided the game between the two favorites to win the Premier League title.
WATCH — Full match replay
A tight game saw Arsenal have the better of the first half but Liverpool improved after the break and got the win late on thanks to Szoboszlai’s stunner.
MORE — Arne Slot reaction | Mikel Arteta reaction
Liverpool have nine points from nine to start the season, while Arsenal have six points on the board and suffered their first defeat of the campaign.
Arsenal punished for holding back
Yes, they were missing Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz through injury and William Saliba was injured early on and Martin Odegaard was only fit enough to come on in the second half. But this was a chance for Arsenal to stake their claim and they stalled. They were the better team in the first half and took the game to Liverpool but then they didn’t show enough belief in the second half to kick on and win it. They allowed Liverpool to get control of the game, which was helped by Curtis Jones coming on, and Arsenal missed a glorious chance to make a statement early in the season. Eberechi Eze will be a force and the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke will keep improving too, so there is plenty of reason for hope for the Gunners. But just like the last few years they were content to go to a big rival away from home and play for a draw rather than going for the win. This time it cost them not only a point, at least, but also handed Liverpool the early-season momentum in the title race. It’s still early days but Arsenal have to seize the moment and go for it more.
What’s next?
Liverpool head to Burnley on Sunday, September 14, while Arsenal host Nottingham Forest on Saturday, September 13.
Liverpool vs Arsenal score: 1-0
Szoboszlai 83'
Liverpool vs Arsenal live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Seven minutes of stoppage time
Can Liverpool hold on? Arsenal pushing very hard late on for an equalizer.
Great clearance from Gomez!
Madueke crosses on the counter and Gyokeres looked certain to score but Gomez somehow flicked the ball behind. What a superb clearance inside the six yard box.
Eze goes down in the box, but no penalty kick
Arsenal want a penalty kick as Eze goes down under contact from Joe Gomez. The referee says no. VAR has a look and the contact isn’t enough for Eze to go down. Play on!
WHAT A GOAL! Szoboszlai curls home a stunning free kick
Anfield goes wild! Liverpool lead late on as Dominik Szoboszlai curls home a powerful free kick into the top corner. That is sensational. Can Arsenal respond? They haven’t got long...
Arsenal finally have a chance
Eze cuts inside and does really well to find Odegaard who turns sharply and tries to play in Gyokeres but Liverpool clear. Tidy stuff from Arsenal, who haven’t been around Liverpool’s box in a long time. Just over 10 minutes plus stoppage time to go.
Eze, Odegaard are on for Arsenal
Okay, here we go. Arsenal’s new signing Eberechi Eze is making his debut and captain Martin Odegaard is back from injury earlier than expected. Martinelli and Merino are off. Could this make the difference in the final 20 minutes?
Ebere Eze enters the pitch for his Arsenal debut. 🔴⚪️
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 31, 2025
C️an he help find a winner? pic.twitter.com/8TnlBgKlv6
Mohamed Salah with a heavy touch in the box
How often do we say that!? Wirtz plays in Salah in the box but a heavy first touch sees the chance go and Arsenal clear. We’ve hardly mentioned Salah’s name today. Calafiori has done a great job on him.
Gabriel’s shot blocked by Konate
Arsenal causing problems down their right again. Madueke tees up Timber who tees up Calafiori and Liverpool clear. But the ball drops to Gabriel who spanks a shot on goal which deflects off Konate and goes out for a corner.
Ekitike has the ball in the net, but he’s offside
Hugo Ekitike has the ball in the net but he was just offside when Florian Wirtz had the initial shot. David Raya looked to have taken down Cody Gakpo too, but none of it matters as Ekitike was off.
Kerkez blocks Madueke’s cross
Once again Noni Madueke is driving towards goal and twisting and turning. His drilled cross is blocked well by Kerkez. Arsenal must get the ball to Madueke early and often. He’s had a great game so far.
Tight start to the second half
Just like the first half, it is very tense and tight out there. Arsenal are being a little more defensive than the first half. Liverpool trying to force the issue. Also, Arne Slot was seen having a lengthy chat with Conor Bradley in the tunnel area at the break. Looks like we will see him at right back soon...
Half time: Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
Well, a few chances in that first half but Arsenal have been the better team. Even after losing William Saliba early to injury they weren’t knocked off their stride. Arsenal have had one shot on target and Liverpool have had zero. 0.09 xG for Liverpool and 0.34 xG for Arsenal. Yep, we can file this one under slow burner but this is exactly the kind of game Arsenal wanted.
Gyokeres holds the ball up and Calafiori’s shot deflects wide
Arsenal well on top before half time. Gyokeres holds the ball up and Timber’s shot is blocked by Van Dijk, then it drops to Calafiori and his low effort takes a flick and goes wide.
Madueke has a shot deflected over!
Noni Madueke is playing really well and he cuts inside and has a shot on goal which Kerkez deflects over the bar. What a great scrap this is down that flank.
Van Dijk denied as Raya gives it away!
Arsenal get themselves in a mess by overplaying at the back and David Raya plays a pass which Virgil van Dijk presses high on to and wins back. He tries to play in a forward but Arsenal intercept, then the loose ball drops to Alexis Mac Allister but his shot is blocked. Good high pressing from Liverpool. Arsenal looked flustered for the first time today.
Alisson denies Madueke!
From the corner the ball drops to the edge of the box and Madueke hammers a shot on goal which Alisson pushes away. Good stop. Arsenal dominating the game now.
Madueke buzzes past Kerkez
What pace from Madueke as he flies past Kerkez as it ends in Liverpool conceding a corner. We all know how dangerous this is...
Gakpo fires just wide
Cody Gakpo, who just signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool, cuts inside from the left but his low shot is just wide.
Saliba is off early through injury
Oh, that is a big blow for Arsenal. William Saliba comes off injured with just a few minutes on the clock. It looked like he had an issue with his lower leg. Cristhian Mosquera is on. What a huge moment for the young defender. More details on the Saliba injury are available here.
Arsenal's William Saliba is forced off in the opening minutes with an injury, replaced by new signing Cristhian Mosquera. pic.twitter.com/xkCdAnKhuj
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 31, 2025
We are underway at a raucous Anfield!
Great noise at Anfield as Liverpool are roared on by their home fans. Arsenal have lumped the ball long early and often as they look to press high whenever possible.
Intriguing team news...
Liverpool start Dominik Szoboszlai at right back once again, with Alexis Mac Allister returning to midfield. For Arsenal, captain Martin Odegaard is only fit enough for a spot on the bench so Mikel Merino takes his place in midfield. Gabriel Martinelli starts on the left wing with Noni Madueke starting on the right and fellow new signing Eberechi Eze on the bench as the latter is ready to make a big impact on his Arsenal debut.
Liverpool lineup
Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike
Arsenal lineup
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Merino, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Liverpool team news, focus
Slot continues to try out options at right back with Frimpong out injured and Conor Bradley only just returning to fitness. The latter struggled when he came on at Newcastle. That could mean Curtis Jones or Joe Gomez start at right back, as they will likely be up against Eberechi Eze on his Arsenal debut. Good luck. In attack Florian Wirtz has yet to really dazzle but fellow new signing Hugo Ekitike has been clinical. Ryan Gravenberch made a big difference during the first 60 minutes of his first appearance of the season at Newcastle, while Liverpool need to get Mohamed Salah in the game early and often and it will be intriguing to see who he’s up against on his flank. Teenager Rio Ngumoha, just 16, scored the winner at Newcastle on his Premier League debut and is pushing for regular minutes as he looks a really talent.
OUT: Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) | QUESTIONABLE: Alexis Mac Allister (fitness)
Arsenal team news, focus
The Gunners have injury issues already this season with Saka out, but the hamstring injury he suffered against Leeds isn’t as bad as first feared and he should be back in a few weeks. Still, it’s a huge loss and so too is Kai Havertz. But Arteta is confident a summer of heavy, and impressive, spending should prove just how much Arsenal have kicked on. Noni Madueke will start on the right, while Eze is in line to come straight in and make his debut. If Odegaard isn’t fit they have plenty of options in central midfield as Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino or even Leandro Trossard could start. Defensively Arsenal look as solid as ever, while youngsters Max Dowman (just 15) and Nwaneri have impressed early in the season. Arsenal are also getting used to playing to the strengths of Viktor Gyokeres and if they can time the balls into him on the break well, it will give Liverpool’s shaky looking defense big problems.
OUT: Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (knee), Kai Havertz (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Martin Odegaard (shoulder), Christian Norgaard (other), Ben White (other), Leandro Trossard (other)
Liverpool vs Arsenal prediction
This feels like it’s going to be tight and tense and may not have as many chances as previous meetings. But I expect a statement win from Arsenal as they make the most of Liverpool’s shaky defense. Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal.
Liverpool vs Arsenal preview
Arne Slot’s reigning champs Liverpool have had a tricky start to the season but have found a way to win both of their opening games late on, as their last-gasp 3-2 win at Newcastle on Monday was as impressive as it was concerning. Some star attackers went missing during the game as Liverpool were overrun by 10 players for most of it and similar defensive issues out wide continue to impact Liverpool’s control on games. Still, they have two wins from two and Hugo Ekitike looks like the real deal.
Arsenal have yet to concede a goal and have two wins from two too, with Mikel Arteta’s side hammering Leeds 5-0 at home last weekend and showed off their set-piece dominance. Viktor Gyokeres also scored a double to underline his improving sharpness and Arsenal look the real deal after a brilliant summer of spending was topped off by the signing of playmaker Eberechi Eze. The Gunners did lose Bukayo Saka to injury, with Martin Odegaard coming off against Leeds too, but if there was ever a time to make a statement about the strength of their squad and their title ambitions, this game is it.
How to watch Liverpool vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 11:30am ET Sunday (August 31)
Venue: Anfield — Liverpool
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
