Dominik Szoboszlai gained the perfect reward for the ‘risk’ he took in converting a stunning free-kick to give Liverpool victory over Arsenal.
The midfielder on No.8 swirled a peach of a set-piece into the top corner from more than 30 yards in the closing stages of Sunday’s Anfield showdown between last season’s Premier League champions and runners-up.
Szoboszlai’s piece of quality was the difference on the afternoon, securing a 1-0 win for Arne Slot’s men and extending the 100 per cent start to their title defence to three games.
Post-match, the Hungarian – who again shone from an unorthodox right-back position – analysed the winning goal and the contest, speaking to Sky Sports,
On if he knew the free-kick was going to go in as soon as he struck it…
Well, luckily since we started the season we could practise some free-kicks. I felt this was a little bit further. I was like, ‘I’ll take a risk.’ I was confident in myself so I tried it. Finally! Long time ago.
It was a long time ago [I last scored one], when you practise all the time. To be honest, I should mention Trent [Alexander-Arnold] because, as you know, he was taking the free-kicks because obviously he has an unbelievable shot. But finally I could have my chance and did it.
On if he practises that technique again and again…
To be honest, this shot I didn’t practise in the last few weeks because we were shooting from closer and if you are closer, I shoot a different way. But I had to take a risk and shoot it a little bit harder, because I knew of course [David] Raya likes to jump behind the wall and of course is an unbelievable goalkeeper. So, I think if it goes a little bit more inside, he saves it. I was looking at a lot of videos [of the goalkeeper].