Liverpool defeated Arsenal at Anfield, securing three factors towards a aspect billed as Arne Slot’s closest rivals to the Premier League title.
Champions final time period, Liverpool noticed off the Gunners due to Dominik Szoboszlai’s spectacular free kick late on, the Hungarian machine working in a makeshift right-back berth and taking part in with the gusto and guile of Trent Alexander-Arnold in his Redman pomp.
An all-encompassing show, the 24-year-old took all of the plaudits post-match, his contribution sustaining a sustained flawless begin to Slot’s Premier League title defence, 9 factors from 9.
Szoboszlai’s “masterpiece”
Fabrizio Romano marvelled on the “masterpiece” of a efficiency from Szoboszlai, taking part in as soon as once more at right-back and doing so like a seasoned veteran within the place, emphasising his versatility.
He locked up Arsenal left winger Gabriel Martinelli and made six clearances throughout the 90, expertly rejecting Gunner advances into the Liverpool field.
In reality, it would not be out of the query to counsel that Szoboszlai has staked his declare to a permanent function on the defensive flank, so dynamic and athletic and tenacious.
Nevertheless, Szoboszlai wasn’t the one Liverpool star to have made a constructive impression in a much-improved defensive show.
Virgil van Dijk was as redoubtable as ever, and Ibrahima Konate seemed again to his greatest, heading off Viktor Gyokeres with ease. The Swede did not handle a single shot at Anfield on Sunday.
However it was Szoboszlai’s compatriot, Kerkez, who produced a superb efficiency at left-back, so a lot better than the opening weeks of the time period.
Kerkez vs Arsenal in numbers
Kerkez was up towards it on the left, battling towards the electric-paced Noni Madueke, who did effectively within the injured Bukayo Saka’s stead, a relentless risk for Mikel Arteta’s males.
A part of the 2024/25 Premier League Staff of the Season, it would not be unfair to say that Kerkez, 21, has endured a testing begin to his Liverpool profession, transport two objectives in every of his opening three fixtures earlier than taking part in a unbelievable recreation towards Arsenal, shutting the guests out.
Having joined from Bournemouth for £40m, Kerkez is seeking to succeed, in the long run, the newly-appointed Liverpool vice-captain Andy Robertson, and this was a show which proved he has the ability to do precisely that.
The Liverpool Echo solely handed him a 7/10 match score, though they acknowledged his diligent defending and crispness on the ball.
Kerkez vs Arsenal | |
|---|---|
Minutes performed | 90′ |
Targets | 0 |
Assists | 0 |
Touches | 57 |
Correct passes | 25/30 (83%) |
Key passes | 0 |
Dribbles | 0/0 |
Tackles | 3 |
Clearances | 5 |
Duels gained | 7/9 (78%) |
Knowledge through Sofascore | |
It says lots that Kerkez wasn’t dribbled previous even as soon as, and that he gained all 5 of his floor duels. Now we see why sporting director Richard Hughes was so eager on snapping him up.
Kerkez won’t have had a defining second like his countryman, however his efforts towards Arsenal’s greatest attacking outlet contributed towards a priceless victory for Slot’s aspect.
It was simply his most refined and cultured efficiency in a Liverpool shirt, one which suggests Liverpool have a famous person within the making on their palms.
The perfect is but to return, however that was a scrumptious style of the left-back’s unbelievable high quality and potential.
