Dominik Szoboszlai perfectly fills Alexander-Arnold void – Liverpool’s winners and losers vs Arsenal
Dominik Szoboszlai was the star as Liverpool found a way to win against title chasing rivals Arsenal at Anfield.
Szoboszlai’s moment of magic came seven minutes from time as the Hungarian rocketed a thirty yard free kick past David Raya with mesmerising whip, dip and swerve.
It was the first goal Arsenal have conceded this season, sending the Kop into raptures, as Arne Slot’s team finally found a way through Arsenal’s resolute display.
Arsenal offered little attacking threat, as did Liverpool in large parts, with both sides cancelling each other out across the 98 minutes of the game.
Winners
Dominik Szoboszlai
It was a terrific outing for Szoboszlai who has filled in tremendously, out of his natural position, at right-back for Slot this season.
Szoboszlai who was bought in as an attacking midfielder from RB Leipzig has been putting in some excellent shifts at right-back and his exceptional free kick was the cherry on the cake for his performance today.
| Season | Goal involvements |
| 2023-24 | 5 |
| 2024-25 | 12 |
| 2025-26 | 1 |
Defensively the Hungarian was assured and it was notable when Szoboszlai lofted a delightful diagonal ball in behind to Florian Wirtz that had shades of Trent Alexander-Arnold about it.
Virgil Van Dijk
Virgil Van Dijk was imperious this afternoon against Viktor Gyokeres and the Dutchman has shown his evergreen qualities at the back for Liverpool.
For all of Liverpool’s defensive struggles this season Van Dijk has still looked a cut above most defenders in the league.
Assured in everything he did Van Dijk was solid in all of his duels and bullied Gyokeres off of the park all afternoon.
Alexis Mac Allister
You don’t know what you have until it’s gone has never been more true for Slot than with Alexis Mac Allister.
The Argentine midfielder was controlled in everything he did and added a real quality to all of Liverpool’s midfield play in the match.
Ryan Gravenberch looked much more assured and comfortable in the pivot alongside Mac Allister as opposed to how he looked against Newcastle alongside Curtis Jones, a testament to Mac Allister.
Losers
Milos Kerkez
It was another tough outing for Milos Kerkez who was under pressure from the opposition targeting his outside shoulder once again.
On Monday night it was Anthony Elanga, this afternoon it was Noni Madueke who had the Hungarian always backpedalling.
It will take time for Kerkez to adapt to life at Liverpool but the full-back will know he’s currently seen as a weak spot in a back four with on part time defender in it.
Mohammed Salah
Mohammed Salah had one of his poorest showing in a Liverpool shirt, often letting the ball escape his first touch.
The Egyptian was looking to constantly deploy his trademark touch inside his opposing left-back to unleash a shot but on three occasions the reigning Player of the Year took a poor touch.
Salah still had quality in patches, but it was an uncharacteristically poor showing from a player who has often set the standard for Premier League wingers over the years.
Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate doesn’t make this list for his performance, which was immense, but more so the concerning injury the defender picked up late on.
The Frenchman seemed to suffer a thigh injury and was withdrawn from the action by Slot in the 79th minute.
Konate had an imperious display at the back, marshalling the backline alongside Van Dijk and it was an impenetrable display from the pairing.