Liverpool vs Arsenal Preview: Title Rivals Clash at Anfield

Liverpool have already been tested early this season. Their opener against Bournemouth had the usual first fixture buzz, then a fiery clash with Newcastle brought a red card, tension surrounding Alexander Isak, and a dramatic late winner. Next up is Arsenal at Anfield always one of the Premier League’s standout fixtures and a meeting of two title contenders.

Both teams consider the other as the title favourites, with Mikel Arteta saying to the press, “Favourite is always the one that won the previous year and that’s it, somebody has to come and take that crown away from them.”

Mohamed Salah explains that Arsenal are the favourites because “they have a team that’s played together for five… six years, so they understand each other’s game. […] My opinion this year is Arsenal are number one.”

And if their words set the tone, the statistics show why this fixture always delivers. Liverpool are winless in their last six league meetings with Arsenal (drawn four, lost two), their longest barren run against the Gunners since 2011. Yet Anfield remains a fortress; Slot’s side are unbeaten in 18 top-flight games at home and haven’t lost a league match there in August for nearly a decade. Arsenal are looking to break their winless streak in their last 12 visits to Anfield, stretching back to 2012. The last three meetings here have all ended level.

Injuries could have a big say. Bukayo Saka is out with a hamstring problem that should only keep him sidelined for a few weeks, while Kai Havertz has had knee surgery and faces a much longer spell out. Ben White and Leandro Trossard haven’t been seen in training, and Martin Ødegaard is carrying a shoulder injury. Liverpool’s news is more positive: Conor Bradley is back in full training, Alexis Mac Allister is also back in training, and Arne Slot confirms that Virgil van Dijk came through the Newcastle game without issue.

Excitingly, however, Eberechi Eze has joined Arsenal and, with injuries, he looks set to go straight into the starting XI. It could mean Arsenal line up a brand-new front three of Eze, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyökeres a trio that has never played together before. Arteta admitted the situation forces a change: “We don’t have Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus or Kai Havertz, it’s a reality. We have to find something and do something we’ve never done before. And it can work really well.”

For Liverpool, a concern comes from Arsenal’s strength at set pieces, especially after conceding two from Newcastle and twice more in pre-season against Athletic Bilbao. Another challenge is the gelling of their new signings. Slot admitted that while the squad is not starting from scratch, the changes mean it will take time for everything to click. “If you look at our situation, we have lost a few and we have added a few. It is not starting all the way new again, but I think it is normal that we play even better even better, not better but even better in a few weeks than we do now.” Yet still, Liverpool are an exciting attacking side, with new signing Hugo Ekitike already having a big impact, scoring three goals in his first three appearances.

Anfield sets the stage for another highly anticipated fixture. Arsenal will be aiming for their first league win at Anfield since 2012, while Liverpool look to extend their unbeaten home run. Both teams see the other as title rivals, making this an important early test in the season.