Match Preview: Liverpool vs. Arsenal
Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Competition: English Premier League
This highly anticipated clash sees reigning champions Liverpool host a formidable Arsenal side that finished second in the Premier League last season. Both teams come into this match with a perfect record after two games, setting the stage for an early-season showdown that could have significant implications for the title race.
Head-to-Head & Key Stats
- Overall Record: Liverpool has the historical edge, with 95 wins to Arsenal’s 83, and 66 draws in 244 competitive matches.
- Recent Form (Premier League): The tide has turned in recent years. Arsenal is unbeaten in their last six Premier League games against Liverpool, including two dramatic 2-2 draws last season.
- Last Season’s Meetings: The two sides played to a 2-2 draw in both Premier League fixtures in the 2024-25 campaign. In the second of those encounters at Anfield, Arsenal fought back from a 2-0 deficit.
- Goal Scoring: Liverpool were the Premier League’s top scorers last season with 86 goals. Arsenal, meanwhile, had the best defensive record, conceding only 34. This season, Liverpool has scored seven goals in two league matches, while Arsenal has yet to concede.
- Individual Records: Mohamed Salah has a strong record against Arsenal, with 10 goals in their head-to-head encounters. Gabriel Martinelli has also found success, with six goals in 12 matches against Liverpool, including a goal at Anfield last season.
Team News
Liverpool
- Injuries: Right-back Jeremie Frimpong is out with a hamstring injury.
- Doubts: Alexis Mac Allister, who missed the last match, has returned to training and could be in contention.
- Boost: Virgil van Dijk is confirmed fit after a tackle in the previous game.
Arsenal
- Injuries: The Gunners are dealing with several key absences. Kai Havertz (minor knee surgery), Gabriel Jesus (ACL injury), and Bukayo Saka (hamstring) are all sidelined.
- Doubts: Captain Martin Odegaard is a significant doubt after being forced off in the last match. Ben White and Christian Norgaard also have minor issues and are being monitored.
- Debut: New signing Eberechi Eze, a recent acquisition from Crystal Palace, is available and could make his debut.
Probable Lineups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Alisson
- Defenders: Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk (c), Milos Kerkez
- Midfielders: Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister
- Attackers: Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo
- Striker: Hugo Ekitike
Arsenal (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: David Raya
- Defenders: Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori
- Midfielders: Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice
- Attackers: Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli
- Striker: Viktor Gyokeres
Note: The Arsenal lineup is highly dependent on the fitness of Martin Odegaard. If he is fit, Eze may feature on the left wing in place of Gabriel Martinelli, or the formation could change to a 4-3-3.
Tactical Analysis
- Liverpool’s Strengths & Weaknesses: Under new manager Arne Slot, Liverpool has demonstrated a potent, high-scoring attack. New signings like Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike have added fluidity and a different dimension. However, they have shown defensive frailties, conceding two goals in each of their three competitive matches so far. The right side of their defense, with a makeshift right-back, could be a key area for Arsenal to exploit.
- Arsenal’s Strengths & Weaknesses: Arsenal’s strength lies in their defensive solidity and structured play. Their full-backs, particularly Riccardo Calafiori, are a key part of their attack, but this can leave them vulnerable on the counter-attack, especially against the likes of Mohamed Salah. With the absence of key creative players like Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, the creative burden will fall on new signing Eberechi Eze and others. Viktor Gyokeres offers a more traditional “target man” threat compared to previous Arsenal forwards.
- Key Tactical Battle: The match will likely be decided by two key matchups. Firstly, Liverpool’s new-look attack, spearheaded by Ekitike and Wirtz, against Arsenal’s formidable defensive duo of William Saliba and Gabriel. Ekitike’s tendency to drop deep to link play could pull Arsenal’s center-backs out of position, creating space for others. Secondly, Arsenal’s attack, particularly down the left with Calafiori and Martinelli, will look to exploit Liverpool’s vulnerable right flank.
Manager Quotes
Arne Slot (Liverpool): “At the beginning of the season, normally teams don’t play their best game… It is not starting all the way new again, but I think it is normal that we play even better in a few weeks than we do now. In the meantime, you can lose ground.”
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal): “They are champions for a reason… they were the better team last year, the most consistent one, the one that found ways to win in many different ways, and we want to be that team this year. We need to go to Anfield with that spirit and that conviction.”1
Final Score Prediction
This is an incredibly difficult match to call. Liverpool’s attacking prowess at home is well-documented, but their defensive vulnerabilities are a concern. Arsenal, despite a host of injuries, has a strong recent record against Liverpool and a defense that has yet to be breached this season. However, the absence of Bukayo Saka and the potential loss of Martin Odegaard will be a major blow to their creative output.
Given Liverpool’s home advantage and attacking firepower, and Arsenal’s injury concerns, the Reds are slight favorites. However, the Gunners’ tactical discipline and resilience cannot be underestimated. A close, high-scoring game is likely.
Predicted Final Score: Liverpool 3 – 2 Arsenal
