Liverpool vs Arsenal predictions, expected line-ups, how to watch and stats

Arsenal haven’t won a Premier League game at Anfield since 2012, when Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla were on target.

Podolski is now 40, still playing every week in Poland, and barely misses a match. Given Arsenal’s growing injury list, Mikel Arteta might wish he could call him up again this weekend.

Liverpool’s side that day featured Joe Allen, Jonjo Shelvey and Stewart Downing all getting midfield minutes. It’s little surprise Arsenal won 2-0, but they haven’t managed another league victory at Anfield since.

Arteta himself played that afternoon, so he can at least say he’s done it, unlike any of his current squad.

Fast forward 13 years, and this is a far sharper fixture, the first real title showdown of the new season. Both sides have six points from two games, but Arsenal’s dominance over Leeds was marred by injuries to Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have been entertaining but chaotic, conceding four goals in their opening two matches. You’ll be

Liverpool team news

Jeremie Frimpong is ruled out with a hamstring injury, and Alexis Mac Allister is touch and go after missing the trip to Newcastle.

Conor Bradley is expected to continue at right-back, though Dominik Szoboszlai was used there in midweek. Hugo Ekitike will lead the line again after scoring in both of Liverpool’s league games.

Expect starts for the likes of Alisson in goal, Virgil van Dijk, the superb Ryan Gravenberch, and Egypt international Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool expected line-up

(4-2-3-1) Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike

Arsenal team news

Bukayo Saka is sidelined for around four weeks with a hamstring injury and Kai Havertz is also out with a knee issue. Martin Odegaard remains a doubt, though his inclusion in Norway’s squad offers hope.

That leaves Noni Madueke in line to start on the right, with Eberechi Eze potentially making his debut on the left. Viktor Gyokeres will lead the line and Riccardo Calafiori should continue at left-back.

Jurrien Timber morphed into a mini Gabriel against Leeds last weekend. Martin Zubimendi could partner Declan Rice and Odegaard in midfield, while Noni Madueke deserves another start.

Arsenal expected line-up

(4-3-3) Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Madueke, Gyokeres, Eze

He averages 3.64 yellow cards per game in his Premier League career and has shown 19 reds.

Kavanagh was the first referee to send a player off for kicking the ball away, as he dismissed Declan Rice against Brighton.

Prediction

Liverpool look vulnerable defensively, but they’ve found ways to win, with Hugo Ekitike already looking at home.

At Anfield they always fancy themselves, and with Arsenal missing two of their biggest attacking weapons, it feels like the home side have the edge.

Our first tip is a simple one: Liverpool to win. The Reds have extended their unbeaten home run against Arsenal to 12 league games, and Anfield remains as hostile as ever.

The second angle is more creative. Arsenal are the kings of the set piece, scoring 33 goals from corners since the start of 2023/24 — 13 more than any other Premier League side.

With Saka absent, Arteta’s men are likely to lean even more heavily on deliveries and full-back involvement.

Riccardo Calafiori had three attempts against Leeds, and Gabriel remains Arsenal’s biggest aerial threat, so our bet is both to register a shot.