Liverpool vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news

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The Football Faithful

·11 May 2025

Liverpool vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news

It’s first against second in the Premier League this afternoon as Liverpool face Arsenal at Anfield.

Arne Slot will be looking for a response from his troops following their 3-1 defeat to Chelsea last weekend.

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On Monday academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed his intention to depart the club when his contract expires in June. Real Madrid have been long-term admirers of the attack-minded full-back, whose destination is likely to be the Spanish capital.

In light of that news Slot announced that Conor Bradley will start at right-back. The young Northern Irishman is seen as the successor to Alexander-Arnold and has a few games to prove his worth to his manager. Slot revealed that Bradley would have started last week against Chelsea but for concerns over his fitness.

Apart from Joe Gomez, every senior Liverpool player is fit and available for selection. Gomez has returned to training, but is being eased back following a lengthy layoff.

Mikel Arteta and his players are reeling following their Champions League exit on Wednesday night. Jorginho returned to the squad for the defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and might be utilised at Anfield.

Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Magalhaes have all been ruled out for the rest of the season with injury, while Arteta has suggested that Kai Havertz could return for the final few games.

Liverpool vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news

Form

Liverpool: LWWWL

Last weekend Liverpool lost in the league for only the third time this season as Chelsea beat them 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Slot heavily rotated his personnel for the game and a Jarell Quansah own goal contributed to the defeat.

The Reds were relatively unfazed by the negative result, with their status as Premier League champions already confirmed. With three games still to play, Liverpool hold a 15-point advantage over today’s opponents.

Mohamed Salah is the comfortable favourite to claim the Golden Boot award this term. The Egyptian has 28 goals to his name, five more than his closest competitor Alexander Isak.

Read – Liverpool predicted lineup and team news vs Arsenal

Arsenal: WDLLL

It was a sour week for Arsenal as three successive losses drained any optimism surrounding the club.

A slender defeat at home in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against PSG preceded a 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth.

On Wednesday the Gunners were beaten 2-1 in Paris, which resulted in their elimination from the competition.

After knocking out holders Real Madrid in the quarter-final, Arsenal fans started to believe they could win the Champions League for the first time in their history. Ultimately, though, another season of promise has ended with no silverware to show for it.

Read – Arsenal predicted lineup ahead of Liverpool clash

Last Meeting: Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool, Premier League, 27th October 2024

Nothing could separate the two sides back in October as they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in north London.

The contest was advertised as an early title decider with both teams emerging as strong contenders in the initial stages of the campaign.

Arsenal struck the first blow inside the opening 10 minutes through Bukayo Saka. Ben White’s searching long pass curved into the path of the England winger, who evaded the company of Andy Robertson before smashing a finish past Caoimhín Kelleher.

A lapse of judgement from Mikel Merino then presented Mohamed Salah with the opportunity to equalise. However, the winger wasted the chance by striking the loose ball first time from distance.

Shortly after, the visitors called upon their captain to level proceedings. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner was flicked on by Luis Diaz and then firmly met by the head of Virgil van Dijk. David Raya stuck a foot out in desperation but couldn’t prevent the ball from crossing the line.

It was Arsenal’s turn to respond and two dangerous free-kicks in quick succession from Declan Rice were attacked by Merino. The Spaniard made a mess of the first set-piece before atoning for his miss with a stopping header to put his side back in front.

The second period saw the game devolve into a cagey affair, with Arsenal’s pragmatic philosophy nullifying the Liverpool threat. That was until the 81st minute, when a blistering counter-attack resulted in Arne Slot’s side restoring parity for the second occasion.

Alexander-Arnold released Darwin Nunez with a similar pass to White’s assist for the opening goal. Nunez teed up Salah, who ruthlessly completed the flowing move with a side-footed finish into Raya’s bottom right corner.

Neither side could snatch a winner and the spoils were shared at the Emirates Stadium.

Read – Liverpool ‘well informed’ on Jeremie Frimpong deal

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at Anfield will be at 16:30 BST on Sunday, 11th May 2025.

Who is the referee?

Anthony Taylor will be the match official. Gary Beswick and Lee Betts will assist him while Craig Pawson will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Paul Tierney and he will be assisted by Mat Wilkes.