Liverpool edge Arsenal 1-0 as Szoboszlai free-kick hits post and in

Liverpool edged Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday as Dominik Szoboszlai's spectacular 32-yard free kick in the closing stages rebounded off the post and into the net, handing the champions all three points and leaving Arsenal to rue missed opportunities. The result, decided less than 10 minutes from the end, moved Liverpool top of the Premier League on nine points, while Arsenal sit third on six as the season pauses for the international break.

Arsenal controlled large portions of the match and introduced attacking reinforcements late, with Noni Madueke a consistent threat and Eberechi Eze among the substitutes. Still, the visitors failed to produce the decisive cutting edge in open play, and Liverpool’s set-piece quality ultimately proved decisive. Mikel Arteta acknowledged after the game that his side must find ways to win big matches.

Postmatch pundits were sharply critical of Arsenal’s approach. Gary Neville said Arsenal lacked the mentality to force wins at major away grounds, arguing "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." Neville and others suggested...