LIVERPOOL VS. ARSENAL
| Sunday, August 31st |
Premier League | Anfield
4:30PM BST/11:30AM EST
Liverpool and Arsenal both look to go three for three on Sunday. Arsenal has yet to give up a goal, while Liverpool have done things a bit harder. Both of Liverpool’s opening two games were high scoring, but it was out of necessity, because they twice managed to squander a 2-0 lead over their opponents. They’ll have to tighten up in the back if they want to keep their perfect record on Sunday.
The good news is that Alexis Mac Allister
has been back in training and may be ready to return for this game. Additionally, though Dominik Szoboszlai held his own as a makeshift right-back against Newcastle, Conor Bradley will be there as an option for Arne Slot. Liverpool also have the home field advantage, which has served them well against Arsenal in the league for over a decade now.
The Champions’ weaknesses have been on display, and no doubt the Gunners will look to capitalize on any chinks in their armor. Mikel Arteta’s stingy defense will have their work cut out for them against the Reds’ front line, though, who have dragged the team to victory twice already.
This game is an early marker for both teams at the start of what is likely to be a long, tough season.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)
Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
New right-back Jeremie Frimpong remains unavailable for Slot due to a hamstring injury. Everyone else should be ready to go, though Mac Allister will likely start on the bench. It would be nice to see him, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai all on the pitch at once. At least part of Liverpool’s recent defensive problems has been their rotating round of niggling injuries that have kept key players from appearing.
For Arteta, it’s a different situation. Arsenal will be without attackers Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz, as well as captain Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus. On the watch list are Leandro Trossard, Ben White, and Christian Norgaard.
The Managers Have Their Say
Arne Slot: “They can play in multiple ways, you can see how well they are managed by Mikel [Arteta] and they are working for five years together, because they can play almost every style there is in football. That tells you how well managed they are. One of their strengths is also set-pieces and that is an area where, if you look at Monday when we faced Newcastle we conceded two and against Bilbao two, we need to improve.”
Mikel Arteta: “A very important one and we want to continue building the momentum that we are in right now. Going to those grounds, those stadiums, against this kind of opposition is what we want and coming away from those big games, winning in a really convincing way. That’s the objective.”
The Officials
Referee: Chris Kavanagh Assistant Referee #1: Daniel Cook Assistant Referee #2: Wade Smith Fourth Official: Samuel Barrott VAR: Michael Salisbury VAR Assistant: Sian Massey-Ellis
If you haven’t done so already, we’d love if you signed up for an SB Nation account and join the community at TLO. We’ll bring you and your fellow Liverpool fans from around the world full coverage of every match from the 2025-26 season in the Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cups along getting you breaking news, insight and opinion, tactical discussion, and post-match reactions as the new season plays out. Hopefully you’ll join us for it!
