Match Preview for Liverpool v Arsenal
Sunday’s Premier League main event brings together two early title contenders as reigning champions Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield in a blockbuster clash.
Both sides boast perfect starts to the new campaign, but while the Reds have impressed going forward, defensive vulnerabilities remain, in contrast to the Gunners’ more balanced displays.
Liverpool’s trip to Newcastle on Monday night delivered all the drama the fixture promised. Despite Anthony Gordon’s red card for a rash challenge on Virgil van Dijk, Newcastle rallied from two goals down to level late on.
Just as the home crowd sensed a famous comeback, 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha stunned St James’ Park with a stoppage-time winner, set up by a clever Mohamed Salah assist.
The result extended Arne Slot’s perfect start, but it also highlighted a lack of defensive stability that has left them trailing Arsenal and Tottenham in the early standings.
History could be made this weekend, as Liverpool need just one goal to set a new club record of scoring in 37 consecutive league matches.
With Salah already boasting 11 career strikes against Arsenal – only Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane have more – the champions will back themselves to deliver once again in the final third.
Arsenal, meanwhile, arrive full of confidence. After grinding out a clean-sheet win at Old Trafford on the opening weekend, Mikel Arteta’s side dismantled Leeds at the Emirates.
Viktor Gyokeres netted twice, Jurrien Timber produced a commanding performance at the back, and 15-year-old Max Dowman made his Premier League debut.
Arsenal have now won their opening two matches without conceding, and another shutout would give them three clean sheets to start a league campaign for the first time in more than a century.
The Gunners are unbeaten in their last six league meetings with Liverpool, but Anfield remains a daunting venue.
They have not claimed a top-flight victory there since 2012, when goals from Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla secured a 2-0 win with Arteta himself in the midfield. Breaking that hoodoo would send a serious message about their title credentials.
