Szoboszlai aims cheeky dig at Alexander-Arnold after his stunning free-kick

DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI took a cheeky dig at pal Trent Alexander-Arnold after his dazzling free-kick sent Liverpool to the top the table.

The Hungarian's 32-yard screamer raised the roof at Anfield as Liverpool beat 1-0 Arsenal in a tight Premier League clash on Sunday.

4 Dominik Szoboszlai's rocket free-kick made it three wins in three for Liverpool Credit: Getty

4 Midfielder Szoboszlai played at right-back Credit: Reuters

4 Trent Alexander-Arnold used to be on free-kick duty at Liverpool Credit: Shutterstock Editorial

The reigning champions were frustrated by Arsenal before Szoboszlai stood over a deadball in the 83rd minute.

He unleashed an unstoppable rocket to decide a cagey affair in a match which could have significant title repercussions come next May.

Midfielder Szoboszlai stood in as a makeshift right-back with both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley out injured - and was by far Liverpool 's standout player.

But he may not have had the chance to step up at all had set piece king Alexander-Arnold not moved to Real Madrid this summer .

He told Sky Sports : "Luckily we could practice some free-kicks. I felt this was a bit further. I was like 'I'll take the risk'.

"I was confident in myself, I tried it... finally [I've scored from a free-kick].

" When you practice all the time, now I should mention Trent because he was taking the free-kicks in the past.

" Finally I could have my chance and did it."

Alexander-Arnold was lethal from set pieces and scored some incredible free-kicks for Liverpool over the years.

But fans joked: "Trent who?" after Szoboszlai 's diamond flew past David Raya.

DOMINIK SZOBOSZLAI'S sensational free-kick was the difference as Liverpool earned a massive win over Arsenal.

Here's what SunSport's Charlie Wyett learned about the new-look champions...

A NEW RECORD

It looked as though Liverpool would not find a way past Arsenal keeper David Raya until a moment of brilliance from Dominik Szoboszlai.

The Hungarian’s stunning winner meant the Reds set a new club record of scoring in 37 consecutive games in the top-flight.

Their current run of 36 was level with a run between March 2019 and February 2020.

Also impressive is the fact they have now scored in 40 of their 41 games under Arne Slot which is 97.5 per cent, the highest percentage by any manager in Premier League history.

Against Arsenal, they only managed three shots on target and this was a reminder that Liverpool fans must be patient with new arrivals Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.

Wirtz, who has arrived in a deal worth £116.6m, was guilty of playing too deeply as the no 10 position and he was far too close to Declan Rice to cause problems at the other end.

This also meant that there was often a huge gap between Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike although the £79m signing from Frankfurt thought he had scored the opener although it was ruled out for offside.

In the end, they were bailed out by Szoboszlai.

LIFE AFTER TRENT

Trent Alexander-Arnold will be returning to Anfield on November 4 for his Champions League trip with Real Madrid and he will certainly need his earplugs in.

By then, you will assume that central midfielder Szoboszlai will not still be starting at right-back although he certainly impressed - and he pinged some crossfield passes which Alexander-Arnold would have been proud. And then he scored the blockbuster winner.

Szoboszlai started in this position for a second successive game due to £29m new arrival Jeremie Frimpong suffering a hamstring injury on his Premier League debut against Bournemouth.

Conor Bradley, who returned from a hamstring injury himself to come off the bench at Newcastle, will have been annoyed at not starting yesterday.

Slot also has other options as a right-back as Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez can play there.

SOLID AS A ROCK

Alisson had only faced six shots in his previous two games but conceded four goals.

Yet Liverpool, quite rightly criticised against Bournemouth and Newcastle, defended well throughout against Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s team are known for being devastating at corners but although they had eight at Anfield, they did not threaten.

Declan Rice was trying outswinging corners to try and bend the ball away from Alisson although centre-back  Ibrahima Konate was particularly impressive.

He has been a bit ropey in these opening few weeks and you can see why Liverpool are still hoping to secure Marc Guehi, however unlikely this might now be.

But Konate played well and his fine performance was ruined near the end when he went off the pitch with cramp.

Three wins from three is a decent start for the champions, particularly as they have not played that well.

While another said: "Trent Szoboszlai !!!!"

On more joked: "Who needs Trent when you have Szoboszlai?"

Szoboszlai was also credited for spraying the ball about like Trent by Gary Neville on commentary before his incredible late winner.

Arsenal lost for the first time this season and conceded their first goal, but it was their attacking play and mentality that came under criticism after full-time.

4 Szoboszlai stands with Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk before scoring from a free-kick Credit: PA