Dominik Szoboszlai's sensational free-kick maintained Liverpool's winning start to the 2025/26 Premier League season, as they beat title rivals Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield.
Last season's top two were the only teams defending perfect records by Sunday, but it looked as though they would have to settle for a point apiece until the 83rd minute, when Szoboszlai provided a moment of magic.
Arsenal were without Bukayo Saka due to a hamstring issue and started with captain Martin Odegaard on the bench, while they suffered a further blow when William Saliba was forced off with an injury early on.
Mikel Arteta's depleted side still looked set to escape with a point, but Szoboszlai whipped a spectacular dead-ball effort against David Raya's right-hand post and in.
The result ensures the champions will spend the international break top of the table as the only team on maximum points, with Arsenal in third.
How the match unfolded
Arsenal had to replace Saliba with Cristhian Mosquera after just five minutes, though the Gunners limited Liverpool to one wayward effort from Cody Gakpo in the early stages.
Noni Madueke's volley forced Alisson into a smart save, while Virgil van Dijk passed up a great chance to shoot at the other end in what was a quiet first half.
Liverpool had the ball in the net around the hour via Hugo Ekitike, but the goal was disallowed as Gakpo was offside when he followed up on Raya's save from a Florian Wirtz strike, before the Frenchman prodded home.
However, Szoboszlai sparked wild celebrations on the Kop when, from over 30 yards out, he curled a vicious shot over the Arsenal wall and beyond Raya's dive.
Watch Szoboszlai's free-kick from all angles
Having been thrown on alongside Odegaard as a substitute, Arsenal debutant Eberechi Eze embarked on one threatening run into the area, but he failed to get a shot away under pressure from Joe Gomez as Liverpool held on.
Another Liverpool late show
Sunday's match had been billed as a showdown between the irresistible force of Liverpool and the immovable object of Arsenal, with the result likely to offer some clues about the destination of the title.
The first half ended with groans of frustration from the home fans, as the likes of Mohamed Salah, Wirtz and Gakpo failed to get into the game.
Wirtz finally came to life when his left-footed strike was spilled by Raya, but Gakpo was clearly offside as he rushed on to the loose ball, causing Ekitike's close-range finish to be chalked off.
Liverpool had already had to dig deep for dramatic victories over AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United, with Federico Chiesa and Rio Ngumoha providing the late heroics in those matches.
This time, it was Szoboszlai – who enjoyed another excellent performance in an unfamiliar right-back role – that grabbed the headlines.
Liverpool have arguably not displayed their best levels in any of their three matches this season, but they end August on maximum points and having scored in 37 successive Premier League games – a new club top-flight record.
It looks bright for Arne Slot ahead of a trip to Burnley on September 14. And Liverpool could look even stronger by then, with Marc Guehi and Alexander Isak still being linked with moves to Anfield, although Ibrahima Konate did go off injured.
No statement result for Arteta
Arteta has made Arsenal a tough nut to crack in the games that matter most – Arsenal did not lose a single Premier League match against a "Big Six" rival last season, while they opened 2025/26 with a gritty 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
However, Arsenal have not won at either Anfield or the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League under Arteta, and there is a sense that he needs a statement result at the home of a title rival. His wait for such a victory goes on.
The early loss of Saliba could have knocked Arsenal's composure, particularly with Saka sidelined by a hamstring injury and Odegaard only fit enough for a place on the bench.
But substitute Mosquera did not look out of place at the back, while Madueke carried the fight to Liverpool throughout the first half.
A string of corners also had the away fans out of their seats, but Declan Rice repeatedly failed to pick out a team-mate.
And in the second half, it felt as though Arsenal were content to leave with a point, with Viktor Gyokeres isolated as the Gunners failed to record an attempt on target after the interval.
Szoboszlai's moment of brilliance ensured Arsenal left empty-handed, and one wonders how important that strike will prove next May. After the international break, Arteta's side will look for a response at home to Nottingham Forest.
Club reports
Liverpool report | Arsenal report
What the managers said
Arne Slot: "If you win against a team like Arsenal, who last season were such a good team and have strengthened so much, to win against them is very positive. We will know at the end of the season what it's worth."
Mikel Arteta: "I am very disappointed with the result. I'm very proud of my players. Both [sets of] players had to dig in to a level where there was nothing between the two. It was going to be decided by an individual error or a moment of magic."
Next fixtures
Key facts
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.
Arsenal are winless in their last 13 Premier League matches at Anfield against Liverpool (D5 L8) since a 2-0 win in September 2012 – that 2012 win is also their only clean sheet in their last 27 league visits to Anfield.
Liverpool managed just two shots in the first half, their fewest in a Premier League first half at Anfield since October 2021 v Man City (one). Indeed, it was a second consecutive game with just two first half shots (also v Newcastle), the first time they’d done that in back-to-back Premier League first halves since January 2004.