Arsenal hammer Liverpool 2-0 at Anfield

Liverpool: Santi Cazorla slipped in Lukas Podolski for the Germany forward's opener in the 31st minute before the roles were reversed, with the Spain midfielder finding the net with a low 68th-minute shot that deflected in off goalkeeper Pepe Reina's elbow.

They were Arsenal's first goals of the new campaign and a third straight clean sheet lifted Arsene Wenger's team into the top half of the standings. Liverpool, which failed to add some much-needed signings to the squad on Friday's transfer deadline day, stayed rooted in the bottom four with one point from three games under new manager Brendan Rodgers.

Two days after failing in their bid to sign freescoring attacking midfielder Clint Dempsey from Fulham, the hosts' lack of attacking power was evident, with strikers Luis Suarez and Fabio Borini unable to create any noteworthy chances. New signing Nuri Sahin was subdued in midfield, too.

It doesn't get any easier for Liverpool either, with an away match at Sunderland and then fierce rival Manchester United at home coming up after the international break.

For Arsenal, however, there are signs that all is not lost after the summer departures of striker Robin van Persie and holding midfielder Alex Song - arguably its two best players last season.

Cazorla, the Spain playmaker, has slotted in well in midfield, where fit-again Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta had excellent games alongside him. And in Podolski, the Gunners have a forward who has an eye for goal like Van Persie and who can hopefully bring the best out of fellow attacker Olivier Giroud, who remains without a goal but had an encouraging display.

Podolski's goal came after Steven Gerrard lost possession carelessly in Arsenal's half. The German passed to Cazorla to start the counterattack, racing forward to receive a neat pass and slip a low left-footed finish past Reina.

Giroud wasted a great chance four minutes before the break, before Arsenal was forced to weather some concerted pressure at the start of the second half.

Liverpool couldn't turn its dominance into goals, though, and the visitors made them pay. Cazorla drifted across the pitch, switched the ball to Podolski and took the return pass before scoring.