Dominik Szoboszlai credits ‘unbelievable’ mentor for free-kick thunderbolt in Liverpool vs Arsenal

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Liverpool left it late as they continued their perfect start to the season with a 1-0 win against Arsenal at Anfield.

It was a scrappy encounter between last year’s top two Premier League sides, and it had looked set to be a fourth consecutive draw at Anfield for the pair.

Arsenal were tipped to win at Anfield in the build-up to the clash and were the better side in the opening exchanges as Liverpool struggled to match the intensity of the visitors.

The Gunners had several chances to open the scoring in the first half – Arne Slot said Arsenal are world-class at playing out from the back, and Raya consistently found Noni Madueke over the head of Milos Kerkez, who couldn’t match the forward’s pace.

Until Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up in the 83rd minute and unleashed a thunderous free-kick past David Raya, delivering the three points for the Reds.

Dominik Szoboszlai praises Trent Alexander-Arnold after Liverpool goal

Szoboszlai produced a dominant display as a makeshift right-back during the 3-2 win over Newcastle United and took his efforts one step further on Sunday as he single-handedly gave Liverpool an early advantage in the title race.

And when speaking live on Sky Sports after the final whistle, Szoboszlai paid homage to former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold after his free-kick goal.

“Luckily, we could practice, since we started the season, we could practice some free-kicks. I felt this was a bit farther. I was like ‘I’ll take the risk’. I was confident in myself, I tried it… finally.

“When you practice all the time, now to be honest, I should mention Trent because as you know, he was taking the free-kicks because obviously he has an unbelievable shot. Finally, I could have my chance and did it.”

“To be honest, this shot I didn’t practice in the last few weeks because we was shooting from closer. If you are closer, I shoot in a different way, but I had to take a risk and shoot it a little bit harder because I knew, of course, Raya likes to jump behind the ball, and of course, he is an unbelievable goalkeeper, so I think if it goes a little bit more inside, he saves it.”

Slot lauded Szoboszlai after the Newcastle win, and it appears the midfielder is enjoying a new lease of life at Anfield.

He was widely expected to be the player sacrificed in the starting lineup to make way for Florian Wirtz, but with the German disappointing the Liverpool fans with his performances, Szoboszlai has emerged as one of the most influential players in the squad.

Although only three games have been played this season, Szoboszlai’s goal could very well be reminisced about in May as a potential turning point for the Reds.

Dominik Szoboszlai draws comparison to Cristiano Ronaldo

When speaking live on Sky Sports match coverage, Gary Neville compared Szoboszlai’s free-kick to one he would expect to see from Premier League legend Cristiano Ronaldo.

“He was my man of the match before that strike – he’s been outstanding and he has no right to score from there.

“The Arsenal goalkeeper can’t believe it. This is special. The whip, the dip, the power and pace – it’s got everything. It’s brilliant. Cristiano Ronaldo-like.”