Arsenal travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool in the biggest match of the opening weeks of the Premier League season. Liverpool and Arsenal have the two toughest schedules to open the year, in part because they have to play each other. It’s gotten lost in the whole “Arsenal have to play Liverpool so early” that Liverpool have to play Arsenal, too. They have the benefit of being at home, where they have a scintillating record against the Gunners lately but we’ll skate past that.
Arsenal haven’t won
at Anfield in the Premier League since September 2012 and are winless in their last 15 trips to Liverpool in all competitions. Last season, the clubs drew 2-2 twice. In both matches, the visiting side came back from behind to split the points.
Liverpool seem to have held onto the rabbit’s foot that brought them all sorts of injury luck in-season. Arne Slot will only be without Jeramie Frimpong. Conor Bradley, who was out last weekend, forcing Dominik Szoboszlai to play as an emergency right back, is available for selection. Alexis Mac Allister, who missed the Newcastle match, is back in training and ready to go, too.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are already missing several key players. Kai Havertz is out for a month or two after minor knee surgery. Bukayo Saka is out four(ish) weeks with a left hamstring strain. Ben White and Christian Nørgaard are both unavailable through undisclosed muscular injuries. Martin Ødegaard is a significant question mark after sustaining a shoulder injury against Leeds. The Arsenal captain didn’t train for most / all of the week but has traveled with the squad to Liverpool. Leandro Trossard, who has been dealing with a groin injury but made the bench against Leeds, also traveled with the team.
Fortunately, Arsenal spent the summer strengthening their squad depth specifically for situations like this. They have Viktor Gyökeres to lead the line (although in Portugal, he struggled to score against the big clubs), Noni Madueke as skilled, pacey cover on the wing, and most recently Ebere Eze to provide creativity in more central areas. All three are likely in line to start, although Mikel Arteta may opt to bring Eze off the bench — he’s only had one week of training with his new teammates.
Lineups will be posted when available.
WHAT: Liverpool vs. Arsenal
WHERE: Anfield Stadium
WHEN: Sunday, August 31st 8:30 am PT | 11:30 am ET | 4:30 pm BST
US TV: USA Network and Telemundo
For all your international streaming needs, check LiveSoccerTV.com. Please do not discuss or share links to illegal streams here.
