3 weeks ago
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As Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to take the free-kick that won Liverpool the game against Arsenal, he had a determined look in his eyes.
As he waited for the referee, Chris Kavanagh, to blow his whistle, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk both made their suggestions as to what Szoboszlai should do. Whatever either of them said, it probably wasn’t a simple as ‘just smash it into the top corner’.
The ball moved in the air and it was impossible for David Raya, the Arsenal goalkeeper, to stop the shot. It all happened so quickly that afterwards, the Spaniard couldn't properly remember what happened.
Even aside from his goal, Szoboszlai was superb — and will have a role to play somewhere in the coming weeks, even if it is right-back.
On this evidence, playing the full-back role could even be his best route to minutes. He is defensively intelligent and has that almost Trent Alexander-Arnold-like quarterback passing range, coupled with extreme athleticism.
His goal speaks for itself — a genuine contender for the best he will net in his career — but his overall performance was very strong.
He looked a natural in an unfamiliar role — and has done it in two of the most difficult matches going, in Newcastle and Arsenal. If you can play there in that environment, you can do it against anyone.
It set up a result — a narrow but vital victory — that has ended a run of draws at Anfield between Liverpool and Arsenal. While they tend to be cagey games, this one saw the Reds edge in front.
Yes, it is only game three in the Premier League, but how important could that victory be come May? Liverpool has a head-to-head edge over Arsenal and a six-point gap to Manchester City already.
Mikel Arteta was kicking every ball throughout, as he always does. He ran more than some of his players, perhaps, given he was doing shuttles along the touchline. But he knew how important this was — and it was his team was narrowly defeated.
You cannot dominate here for 90 minutes; it is impossible," he said. "It was going to be decided by an individual error or a moment of magic."
That Liverpool has won three out of three without playing well tells its own story too. "This team did it last year and the sign of a brilliant team is winning matches when you are not at your very best — that is what champions do," Roy Keane said. "It is early in the season, and they will improve, no doubt."
Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, for instance, still have work to do to improve and reach the level they are capable of, but this was another step in a hugely positive direction.
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There was a dramatic improvement from Ibrahima Konate at the back, too. Though he wasn’t perfect, the Frenchman was much more composed than he has been of late.
At times this season, he has looked as if he were playing on ice. Against Viktor Gyokeres, though, he won the physical battle.
At the other end of the pitch, the importance of getting a deal for Alexander Isak over the line was made clear. Options from the bench will be required — this week, the Champions League group phase fixtures being confirmed was a reminder of that — and there will be weeks when Slot needs more.
Were it not for Szoboszlai’s heroics, there would have been a clamor for an extra attacker being brought in on deadline day, and the Hungarian's wonderstrike doesn't change the reality that one would be hugely beneficial.
For now, though, Szoboszlai has fired an imperfect Liverpool — still with much to improve upon — three points ahead of the team most likely to challenge it this season. Already out in front, it is clear that there is much more to come.
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