Premier League champions Liverpool maintained their perfect start to the 2025/26 season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over title rivals Arsenal at Anfield.
In a tense contest of fine margins, it always looked as though brilliance or error would decide it. The decisive moment arrived seven minutes from time, when stand-in right-back Dominik Szoboszlai struck a stunning free-kick from more than 30 yards.
Liverpool were far from their fluent best but seized their chance. Arsenal, meanwhile, had long spells of control yet once again came up short in a heavyweight fixture, their lack of a ruthless edge underlined on Merseyside.
The result leaves Arne Slot’s men as the Premier League’s only side with a 100% record — and ensured the Gunners conceded their first goal of the campaign.
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Liverpool player ratings
Alisson Becker: 72%
Another clean sheet for the Brazilian, though he was rarely troubled. His only save came from inside the penalty area, and otherwise Arsenal rarely tested him directly. Distribution was less assured: a 40% long pass accuracy meant he too often surrendered possession.
Milos Kerkez: 67%
Given a stern test against Madueke down Liverpool’s left, Kerkez looked shaky at times but grew into the contest. Finished with a vital last-man tackle, two blocked crosses, two tackles, and two aerial duels won — all team-high figures. Not flawless, but resilient.
Virgil van Dijk: 63%
A rare dispossession in his own half blemished an otherwise authoritative display. Produced one interception that led to Liverpool retaining possession and was key in advancing play, ranking behind only Szoboszlai for completed passes into the final third.
Ibrahima Konaté: 64%
Under pressure after a difficult start to the season and links with Marc Guéhi, Konaté produced a strong response. Dealt well with Gyökeres, making two clearances, one tackle, two blocks and completing 98% of his passes. Did, however, win only half his aerial duels.
Dominik Szoboszlai: 72%
Stationed again at right-back, Szoboszlai balanced defensive diligence (one interception, one tackle, three clearances, 100% cross accuracy) with his natural instinct to drift infield. Settled the game with a stunning 32-yard free-kick — the first direct free-kick in this fixture since Coutinho in 2016. Gary Neville called it “Cristiano Ronaldo-like… the whip, the dip, the power, the pace – it’s brilliant.”
Alexis Mac Allister: 67%
Back in the XI after missing the Newcastle trip, Mac Allister’s outing was mixed. Created more chances (2) than any Liverpool player before his 61st-minute withdrawal, but failed to complete any of his three dribbles. Positively, he won possession five times in the middle third — more than any Red in that period.
Ryan Gravenberch: 61%
First into the book after a foul on Calafiori and has now collected yellows in three straight league games — as many as in his previous 32 combined. Three unsuccessful touches blunted his impact, though he did complete two tackles. Only Mac Allister recovered possession more in the middle third.
Cody Gakpo: 56%
Arrived in form but couldn’t sustain it here. Registered one shot on target from two attempts and completed his only dribble, but failed to create a single chance. A quiet afternoon by his recent standards.
Florian Wirtz: 66%
Still searching for his Leverkusen sparkle in a Liverpool shirt. Completed all three dribbles and won five of seven duels, while creating one chance and putting one of his two shots on target. Bright in moments, but influence faded.
Mohamed Salah: 52%
Frustrated for most of the afternoon. Did not manage a shot until late on — and it was off target. Failed to complete a dribble or create a chance, though he led Liverpool with seven touches in the opposition box.
Hugo Ekitiké: 41%
An anonymous display. Failed to register a shot, create a chance, or complete either of his two dribbles. Managed just one touch in the Arsenal box and didn’t even complete a lay-off. A day to forget.
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Arsenal player ratings
David Raya: 64%
Could he have done better to stop Szoboszlai’s free-kick? Perhaps he trusted his wall to do its job, but once it went past him, Raya was rooted. Made two saves (both from inside the box), but his long passing was poor, completing less than half.
Riccardo Calafiori: 64%
Arsenal’s new first-choice left-back continues to impress. Three interceptions, one blocked cross, and two aerial duels won underline a solid display. Up against Salah, he limited the Egyptian to speculative efforts and gave an excellent account of himself.
Gabriel Magalhães: 60%
Shouldered extra responsibility after Saliba’s injury and produced a steady, workmanlike performance. Completed one interception, one block and passed at 90% accuracy. Not spectacular, but reliable.
William Saliba: N/A
Forced off after just five minutes following a clash with Ekitiké, never looking comfortable from the start. His withdrawal was Arsenal’s earliest Premier League substitution since Laurent Koscielny in 2012. A big setback given his defensive partnership with Gabriel.
Jurriën Timber: 60%
Had an engaging battle with Gakpo and stood up well. Registered a team-high five clearances and even got forward, with four touches in the Liverpool box (second only to Madueke). Also executed Arsenal’s only successful offside trap.
Declan Rice: 62%
On set-piece duty, but his corners repeatedly disappointed. Still contributed defensively, with three interceptions and a team-high five recoveries in the middle third. Won just half of his take-ons, but kept Arsenal’s midfield ticking.
Martín Zubimendi: 55%
Struggled to impose himself, dribbled past three times — more than any Arsenal player. A tough start to Premier League life, though, trips to Old Trafford and Anfield in his first three games explain some of the learning curve.
Mikel Merino: 65%
Started ahead of Ødegaard but was replaced on 70 minutes. Won four duels and was dribbled past once, yet offered little incision. His replacement contributed more in the attacking third than he managed.
Gabriel Martinelli: 53%
A muted outing. With Szoboszlai out of position at right-back, he had the chance to dominate but never attempted a dribble, created no chances, and didn’t manage a shot. Arsenal’s attacks flowed down the opposite flank before he was withdrawn.
Viktor Gyökeres: 43%
Anonymous again on the road. Didn’t register a single shot and grew visibly frustrated, leaving a late challenge on Van Dijk that earned him a yellow card. A disappointing afternoon.
Noni Madueke: 61%
Arsenal’s brightest spark. Completed their only successful dribble, had three shots (one on target) and a team-high nine touches in Liverpool’s box. Frequently unsettled Kerkez but lacked support.
How do Squawka player ratings work?
Squawka’s new player rating system is wholly stats-based. Player scores are based on the numbers they put up across a range of on-ball events, from goals scored to tackles won.
We tailored each score to the players’ respective positions using extensive research and expertise. For example, forwards are rated on metrics like shots on target, touches in the opposition box, and big chances created. Meanwhile, centre-backs are rewarded for winning aerial duels, making blocks, successful long-range passes, etc.