Liverpool took a big step towards defending their Premier League title in a victory over runner-up Arsenal last season.
team
Szoboszlai was once again deployed to the proper defenders, Jeremie Frimpong was not expected back to the end of the international break, and Conor Bradley was clearly not ready to play 90 minutes. Midfielder Stephen Valletic was also featured.
With Allison Becker in the goal, Szoboszlai was joined by Konate, Virgil Van Dijk and Milos Kerkez on the backline. The Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch started together in the middle of the park for the first time this season. Cody Gakupo attacked from the left, Mohamed Sarah from the right and Hugo Ekichike from the middle.
Meanwhile, Arsenal had more injuries issues to avoid in this game. Gabriel Jesus, Kai Herberts and Bukayo Saka were on the front as were midfielder Christian Norgaard and defender Ben White. Captain Martin Odegard only made the bench after picking up a shoulder problem the previous week.
David Raya stood between the posts, with Gabriel Magalges and William Saliba beginning at the centre of the defense. Julientimber covered his right flank and left Ricardo Carafioli. Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Declan Rice formed the three midfielders, while striker Viktor Gyoker extended support for Nuni Maduke and Gabriel Martinelli.
Important moments
For most expectations, what we saw in this match is hardly necessary to discuss. Overall, it was a rough event, with both sides probably showing little respect and intention to attack from the opposition. The fierce battle in the middle of the park provided almost a chance at either end.
Liverpool looked like a team trying to control ownership and play football, but Arsenal showed more energy for most of the game, effectively reducing home creativity. In fact, the gunners seemed likely that the team would break deadlock.
However, even if Gyoker, Maduke and Sufterge Eze were able to score, what Mikel Arteta’s men created could not be described as a clear opportunity. On the other end, Ekitique thrusts the ball into the empty net from close range, but the lineman’s flag went up correctly as Gakupo was offside in the build-up.
It was therefore not surprising that Arsenal was reverted with his weapon, the set piece, so there was enough goal to determine the outcome. When Judge Chris Kabanag gave him a foul of about 30 yards from Raya’s goal by Martin Zubimendi, Zobosrai, apparently inheriting the free-kick duties from Trent Alexander Arnold, stepped up and ran through the fantastic Kalla, and Raya did nothing.
Arsenal, of course, attacked the remaining minutes in search of an equalizer, but that never happened.
Perhaps it should be said that the gunner had some very weak penalty cries, and the judge would have been uninterested at all.
Injury problem
Apart from Szoboszlai’s goal, the last thing Arteta needed happened very quickly. In less than five minutes, Saliba was injured and forced to make a way for Christian Mosquera.
Liverpool also had such problems, with Conate clutching his leg and making a late road for Joe Gomez.
With the international breaks continuing, both slots and Arteta hope these players will return by mid-September when the Premier League resumes.
Above Liverpool
Liverpool has been played in three rounds and is the only team in the Premier League with a 100% record. So they’re nine points on the table for the UK flight, with Chelsea ahead of the seven, with Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and (surprisingly enough) Sunderland quartet following at 6am.
Of course, that makes little sense at this stage.
In Round 4, the reigning champion travels to face Burnley, with Arsenal playing the host of Nottingham Forest.