Liverpool's challenging start to their Premier League defense continued on Sunday, as they hosted title-hopefuls Arsenal.
Though a largely drab affair, particularly in the first 45 minutes, Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up late and dispatched a long-distance free-kick to preserve Liverpool's perfect start to the season.
Here are some thoughts on the afternoon.
Szoboszlai at right-back continues
Asked once again to play at right-back on Sunday, the Hungarian midfielder continued to show why his versatility is so crucial to Arne Slot's side.
He continued to completely mitigate the loss of Jeremie Frimpong and the wavering fitness of Conor Bradley, offering a tireless engine on the right-flank and more than enough defensive prowess to suffice.
That is without even getting into his goal, a strike that Steven Gerrard himself would be proud of.
Kerkez's best match to date
Though his role is still unclear offensively and perhaps he has not been instructed yet in a way that gets the most out of his profile, Kerkez was immense defensively on Sunday, dealing with the constant threat of Noni Madueke very effectively.
Given Liverpool's first three Premier League fixtures and the right-wingers up against him, the left-back has had a baptism of fire to start his Anfield career.
It is understandable that things did not go smoothly immediately, but Sunday may be a sign that it is beginning to click for Kerkez.
Alexis Mac Allister still not fit
The Argentine midfielder struggled to make a mark in Sunday's match, completing only 21 passes in 61 minutes before being substituted for Curtis Jones.
His introduction seemed to directly coincide with Liverpool establishing a foothold in the match.
Mac Allister is still dealing with the implications of not having a full pre-season, something Slot alluded to in his presser this week when he also mentioned that he 'hoped' the 26-year-old would be available against Arsenal.
He should be awarded patience as he works his way back to full fitness in real-time.
Solid defensive showing
Liverpool kept their first clean sheet of the Premier League season on Sunday, putting forth their best defensive showing thus far.
Kerkez was especially impressive in his handling of Madueke, who many of the visitor's attacks were funneled through.
Just as encouraging was the way that the Reds dealt with set-pieces, as these are such a weapon for Arsenal.
The Gunners had 7 free kicks and 10 corners and hardly troubled Alisson with any of them, a testament to surely an increased focus on set-pieces during training leading up to this fixture.
Encouraging signs defensively indeed.