Champions Liverpool struck an early-season title blow against rivals Arsenal in a 1-0 Premier League victory at Anfield on Sunday thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning free kick in the dying minutes.
Szoboszlai struck in the 83rd minute after Martin Zubimendi's costly foul on Curtis Jones, unleashing a shot from 25 yards out that ricocheted in off the inside of the post, which had the Liverpool fans chanting "Champions!"
With both teams winning their opening two games, the afternoon was a chance to set an early tone for the season, but it appeared to be heading for a goalless draw in a game billed as a battle between titans. Liverpool's summer signing Hugo Ekitike thought he had broken the deadlock in the second half when he bundled in the ball after goalkeeper David Raya fumbled Florian Wirtz's shot. But VAR showed Cody Gakpo was offside in the buildup.
Liverpool vs Arsenal latest news
- GOAL! Szoboszlai scores stunning free kick
- NO GOAL! Ekitike offside
- INURY! Saliba forced off after five minutes
Roy Keane on Sky Sports
18:50 , Alex Young"We said at half-time that Arsenal were comfortable and would there be a reaction from Liverpool? You bet your life there would be because that’s what champions too.
"They deserved it on their second half performance."
Gary Neville on Sky Sports
18:41 , Alex Young"Liverpool have got what Arteta and Arsenal haven’t got right now – that edge, that something, that mentality to go and win big matches at big away grounds.
"Liverpool believe they should be winning these matches and I’m not sure Arsenal do. They’re happy not to lose and it’s costing them."
Full-time!
18:26 , Alex Young98min: VAR check complete... and that’s full-time!
Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
18:26 , Alex Young97min: Kerkez clears as VAR check on a possible Arsenal penalty...
Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
18:25 , Alex Young96min: Liverpool standing firm with seconds to go.
Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
18:21 , Alex Young93min: Timber is now down and needs treatment.
Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
18:20 , Alex Young91min: Seven minutes added on.
Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
18:21 , Alex Young90min: Dowman is on for Madueke. Customary “he’s 15 years old!” comment.
Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
18:18 , Alex Young89min: Wirtz is off, with again what looks like cramp. Enzo is on.
Simon Collings at Anfield
18:14 , Alex YoungThat is a truly stunning goal. You could have two David Rayas in goal - and they ain't stopping that.
Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal
18:14 , Alex Young85min: What do Arsenal have up their sleeve now?
Eze goes down in the area, and the referee isn’t fooled.
GOAL!
18:11 , Alex Young83min: How important will this be!
Szoboszlai with an absolute ROCKET from the free kick to break the deadlock!
You won’t see a better free kick this season!
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
18:10 , Alex Young81min: Zubimendi is booked for a tired challenge on Jones.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
18:08 , Alex Young79min: Konate won’t continue, so Gomez is on. Ekitike is replaced by Chiesa.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
18:06 , Alex Young77min: Konate is down and needs some treatment. Surely just cramp.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
18:03 , Alex Young75min: The ball now drops to Wirtz to fire a half-volley at goal, but it hits an Arsenal player on its way.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
18:02 , Alex Young74min: Oh, Salah! Has far too much time and space in the Arsenal area to run onto a finish, but his first touch is poor and Timber can get in the block.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
18:01 , Alex Young73min: Comes to nothing as Mosquera heads clear.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
18:00 , Alex Young72min: Gakpo wins Liverpool’s first corner of the game.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:59 , Alex Young70min: Eze is also coming on, for his debut.
Martinelli and Merino make way.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:57 , Alex Young69min: Odegaard is being prepared.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:54 , Alex Young66min: Gakpo cuts inside and sends a weak effort at Raya.
That is Liverpool’s first shot on target.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:53 , Alex Young64min: Rice takes yet another Arsenal corner, it falls to Madueke to throw a leg at it and send the ball wildly wide.
Simon Collings at Anfield
17:52 , Alex YoungThat non-goal has perked the home fans up a bit. Anfield has been unusually flat early in this second half.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:50 , Alex Young62min: Mac Allister replaced by Jones.
NO GOAL!
17:49 , Alex Young60min: Ekitike has the ball in the back of the net, but he’s offside.
Raya very lucky as he made a hash of the shot.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:44 , Alex Young55min: Rice takes, Konate clears.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:43 , Alex Young54min: Madueke the only player who really looks like making anything happen, as he races at the Liverpool defence and earns another corner.
Simon Collings at Anfield
17:41 , Alex YoungMax Dowman among those warming up for Arsenal. Can you imagine if he gets some minutes in a game like this?
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:38 , Alex Young49min: Now it’s Ekitike’s turn to get penalised after being thrown about by Calafiori.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:37 , Alex Young48min: Rice penalised when trying to press Liverpool high up. Konate hitting the deck easily.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:35 , Alex Young47min: Slot spotted was giving Bradley a talking-to in the tunnel, he could be coming on sooner rather than later perhaps.
Second half!
17:33 , Alex Young46min: Back underway. No changes for either team.
Second half is coming up. Any changes?
Madueke came closest to scoring and Arsenal had plenty of set-piece opportunities, but did nothing with them.
Nothing between last season's top two at the break.
Simon Collings at Anfield
17:19 , Alex YoungThink Arsenal will be happy with that first half, especially given Saliba went off injured after just five minutes. Mosquera come on and done well.
Liverpool yet to have a shot on target. Madueke bright for Arsenal in attack.
Half-time!
17:16 , Alex Young47min: Gyokeres fouled by Konate... and that’s your lot for the first half.
Won’t last long in the memory.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:16 , Alex Young46min: One minute added on.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:15 , Alex Young45min: Ekitike tries a disguised pass to feed Wirtz into the area, but Rice telegraphs it.
Neither team getting much as half-time approaches.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:13 , Alex Young42min: Huge roars as Salah wins a free kick off Gabriel. About the loudest the Anfield crowd has been all half.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:10 , Alex Young40min: Rice takes again, Calafiori meets it but it bounces so wide.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:10 , Alex Young39min: Timber and Calafiori with efforts, the first a volley closed down and the second a low shot which is deflected behind for a corner.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:07 , Alex Young37min: Rice takes the corner, and it sails right through.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:06 , Alex Young36min: Great chance for Madueke, who cuts inside Kerkez and fires at goal but wins a corner.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:05 , Alex Young34min: This game hasn’t quite got going yet, very tense out there. Liverpool with more possession, but perhaps less chances.
Simon Collings at Anfield
17:03 , Alex YoungThe biggest cheer of the day from Arsenal's away fans as Eze heads out to warm up for the first time.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:01 , Alex Young30min: Whatever Writz can do... Rice fires his attempt about 30 yards wide.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
17:00 , Alex Young29min: Gravenberch is booked, which gives Rice the chance for an attempt at goal.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
16:56 , Alex Young26min: Oh dear. Wirtz takes and just sends the ball out of play.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
16:56 , Alex Young25min: Timber penalised for a foul near the edge of the Arsenal area. He’s fuming but he literally had his arms around Gakpo’s neck.
As Liverpool prepare to take the free-kick, Van Dijk has a word with Slot.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
16:53 , Alex Young23min: First shot in anger and it’s Arsenal’s as Madueke stings Alisson’s fingertips.
Simon Collings at Anfield
16:51 , Alex YoungMosquera settling fairly well, here, given he has been thrown into a huge game. Demanding the ball off Raya at the back. Solid stuff.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
16:50 , Alex Young21min: Madueke getting similarly short shift from Kerkez.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
16:49 , Alex Young19min: Brief VAR check for an Arsenal penalty after Mac Allister appears to be holding onto Arsenal shirts, but it’s soft and they agree.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
16:48 , Alex Young18min: Salah has seen the ball quite a lot in these opening stages, time and again being found by Van Dijk, but Calafiori hasn’t given him an inch.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
16:46 , Alex Young16min: Heart-in-mouth time as Zubimendi nearly plays Raya short with Salah lurking, but the keeper rushes his from goal to boot the poor pass clear.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
16:44 , Alex Young14min: Liverpool bossing possession so far. Arsenal struggling to get their foot on the ball.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
16:42 , Alex Young10min: Super turn from Mac Allister leaves Rice eating dust as he drives forward into Arsenal half and then final third. He finds Salah on the right, but his cross is charged down.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
16:38 , Alex Young7min: Van Dijk sends Salah scampering to immediately put Mosquera under pressure, which the defender deals with well.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
16:35 , Alex Young5min: Yes, what a huge blow for Arsenal. Saliba hits the deck and Mosquera is being prepared.
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
16:33 , Alex Young3min: There is an early concern for Saliba, who is hobbling.
Kick-off!
16:32 , Alex Young1min: Here we go!
Simon Collings at Anfield
16:28 , Alex YoungThe Liverpool fans belting out the word "champions" as the two teams walk out of the tunnel and onto the pitch.
Here come the teams.
Mikel Arteta to Sky Sports
16:21 , Alex Young"We had to adjust what we wanted to do, and how the game plan could change. Odegaard has done incredibly well to be on the bench; he is ready to come on to impact the game.
"We prepare the game to win it, every decision we make is towards that... Merino can get into the box in the right time, he's a real threat."
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Arne Slot to Sky Sports
16:14 , Alex Young"You can expect a lot from them. "Five years together and Mikel has done a great job.
"So many set ups, positions... if you look at the line-up, they could potentially go a bit more direct as well. We expect a lot, and we are prepared for that."
Late prep for the players.
Simon Collings at Anfield
16:05 , Alex YoungA cheer goes round Anfield as the PA announcer goes through the scores from today's early games. The cheer gets even louder when he informs fans that James Milner was one of those to score in Brighton's win over Man City.
Eberechi Eze will have to wait a little longer for his debut, but it will surely come today.
“I think he’s the type of player that loves those scenarios and those moments,” Mikel Arteta said earlier this week. “I think the moment he starts to play, we will see how the team will react and what connections will flourish from his interventions. I’m very confident that he’s played in the league for so many years.
“We have to put him in the positions and scenarios where he can deliver those moments which are the reason why we brought him here: to give us something different, something unexpected, and we will adapt to more what is necessary as we know the outcome of that is really big.”
As Liverpool and Arsenal prepare for kick-off, Manchester City look to be going down to Brighton. A late, late winner from Gruda, unless City can pull off an even later equaliser.
'Liverpool were better, more consistent'
15:44 , Alex YoungHere’s more from Mikel Arteta’s pre-match press conference.
“Liverpool are the champions and they are the champions because they deserved to be. They were the better team last year, the most consistent team, and the one that found ways to win in many different ways, but we want to be that team this year.
“We need to go to Anfield with that spirit and that conviction, and just be convinced that we can go to Anfield and win.
“It is a very important game because we want to continue building the momentum that we are in right now. Going to those grounds, those stadiums, against this kind of opposition is what we want, and coming away from those big games, winning in a really convincing way, that’s the objective.”
VAR official dropped today after Fulham goal error
15:40 , Alex YoungThere has been a late change in match officials today.
PGMOL have removed Michael Salisbury from VAR duties after admitting he made a mistake in disallowing Fulham’s opener against Chelsea on Saturday.
Josh King thought he had opened the scoring at Stamford Bridge with a well-taken breakaway goal, but play was pulled back as Rodrigo Muniz was deemed to have fouled Trevoh Chalobah in the buildup.
It proved a pivotal moment in the match, which Chelsea went on to win 2-0 despite being outplayed for long stretches.
It was not the only contentious VAR decision in the match, either, as Chelsea were later awarded a penalty as Ryan Sessegnon was convicted of handling the ball after Joao Pedro got away with a similar offence.
PGMOL have now issued an apology to Fulham, though, acknowledging that Salisbury’s decision went against the ‘referee’s call’ principle, which holds that VAR can only intervene after a clear and obvious error.
Team news
15:32 , Alex YoungSo, Odegaard and Eze are on the bench for Arsenal, along with Max Dowman.
Merino comes in for the Arsenal captain as Arteta goes, as expected, slightly defensive.
Liverpool make one change as Mac Allister is fit enough to replace Jones.
Simon Collings at Anfield
15:26 , Alex YoungMust admit, that XI is how you'd expect Arteta to go for a game like this - when Odegaard isn't fully fit.
Merino and Rice will look to disrupt Liverpool's flow and make this game a dogfight.
Confirmed team news in full
15:22 , Alex YoungLiverpool XI: Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo
Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Robertson, Bradley, Ngumoha
Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Merino; Madueke, Martinelli; Gyokeres
Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Odegaard, Eze, Nwaneri, Dowman, Trossard, Harriman-Annous
Arsenal XI
15:18 , Alex Young...and the visitors!
⚪️ 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔴
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 31, 2025
©️ Gabriel skippers the side
↩️ Merino into midfield
🔙 Martinelli returns to the starting XI
Bring the fight, Gunners 💪
Liverpool XI
15:15 , Alex YoungThe champions!
Your Reds to take on Arsenal 👊 #LIVARS
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 31, 2025
Alex Mac Allister, as expected, is with the Liverpool squad.
Latest odds
15:06 , Alex YoungThe bookies do not agree with our prediction of an Arsenal win, but agree it will be a tight game.
- Liverpool: 5/4
- Draw: 21/10
- Arsenal: 17/10
(Odds via Betfair, subject to change.)
Liverpool have the Premier League trophy on show today. Both teams will hope those red tassels remain this time next year.
Arteta on Liverpool's 'title favourites' tag
14:52 , Alex YoungMikel Arteta says it is clear Liverpool are title favourites as Premier League champions, but that does not mean they will retain their crown.
The Gunners finished runners-up to the Reds last season, 10 points behind Arne Slot's side.
And when asked if Liverpool are the favourites to retain their crown, Arteta concluded: "The favourite is always the one that won the previous year.
"Somebody has to come and take that crown away from them so that is what we will try to do. The aim is to be better than them."
Slot has plan for Gyokeres
14:45 , Alex YoungArne Slot expects to face an Arsenal side similar in style to the ones Liverpool came up against last season, but admits there might be one change his players need to be aware of after the signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting.
"The number nine they have now (Gyokeres) is different to (Kai) Havertz for example. That is more a false nine you could say, where I think Gyokeres is more a target man," the Liverool manager told reporters.
"So that's maybe a small difference, where we have to know he maybe makes more runs in behind than the other number nines did. But in general, I see a lot of similarities between last season and this season with the style of play they have, and I think it's the same with us."
Odegaard has been pictured with the Arsenal squad, though no clarity on if that means the captain is in the matchday squad.
Liverpool vs Arsenal prediction
14:33 , Alex YoungThis match will provide fans and pundits a fascinating early insight into the Premier League title race.
Arteta’s Arsenal look a more complete side than ever following some astute summer recruitment, but the same is of course true of Slot’s Liverpool.
Whatever way you cut it, there is a very good chance that these two sides finish the season sitting first and second respectively again.
Both have already exhibited well-oiled attacks, meaning the result could well be decided by the top-performing defence, and Liverpool’s has already proven shaky.
They are particularly vulnerable on the counter-attack, meaning Arsenal’s pace up top could pose a big problem.
Arsenal to win, 2-1.
Predicted XIs
14:26 , Alex YoungConfirmed line-ups due at 3.15pm BST.
Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Early Arsenal team news
14:19 , Alex YoungArsenal are dealing with several injury problems.
Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are all definitely sidelined due to injury, but manager Mikel Arteta is also sweating over the fitness of four more members of his first-team squad.
Ben White, Christian Norgaard, Leandro Trossard and captain Martin Odegaard are all doubts for the match against Liverpool, though reports on social media on Saturday night claimed that the latter duo had travelled.
Eberechi Eze is available to make his Arsenal debut on Merseyside after training all week with his new team-mates following a £67.5million move from Crystal Palace last week.
Noni Madueke is primed to start for the second game in a row in the absence of Saka, but this time on the right flank.
Early Liverpool team news
14:12 , Alex YoungLiverpool should get a key injury boost when they host Arsenal in a huge Premier League showdown today.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Slot confirmed that captain Virgil van Dijk is fit to face Arsenal after being on the receiving end of a nasty tackle that resulted in Anthony Gordon being sent off.
Furthermore, the Dutchman confirmed there were no fresh fitness worries with Conor Bradley and Alexis Mac Allister - who missed the win over Newcastle - taking part in training this week.ac Allister. With summer signing Jeremie Frimpong sidelined, there is an opening at right-back.
Dominik Szoboszlai got the nod there at St James’ Park and played well enough to retain his place. That said, Mac Allister is likely to replace Curtis Jones in midfield, thus reuniting with Ryan Gravenberch.
Liverpool’s front three is expected to remain unchanged for the fourth game in a row as Hugo Ekitike leads the line as he goes in search of keeping up his goal-a-game record.
How to watch Liverpool vs Arsenal
14:05 , Alex YoungTV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage will begin at 4pm BST ahead of a 4.30pm kick-off.
Live stream: Sky Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app and website, as well as Now TV.
Welcome
14:00 , Alex YoungGood afternoon and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Arsenal.
It’s an early clash in the season between the two title favourites as the champions host, who many believe are their biggest challengers.
A win for either today would be considered a huge title statement, while the Gunners will likely walk away happy with a draw.
Kick-off at Anfield is at 4.30pm. Simon Collings is there for us today.
