Rubber, Meet Road: A Liverpool vs. Arsenal Preview | OneFootball

Sunday, August 31 @ 11:30am ETAnfield, LiverpoolBroadcast on USA & Telemundo

While only the third match of the 2025-26 campaign, it’s not an understatement to say that could be the defining tie of the season for both sides. Each team sits undefeated with six points; Arsenal are atop the table with a +6 goal differential having not yet conceded this season.

Fixtures usually don’t get as exciting, or portentious, as this one until after the Christmas holiday or during the pell mell furor approaching the final match day.

Spotlight Squarely on the Gunners

Without a doubt, there’s more pressure on Arsenal’s shoulders. The Gunners have an injury list seven players deep, including normal starters Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz. But given the tremendous investment that the club has made this summer Mikel Arteta cannot play the injury card. Arsenal has spent just under $358 million to bring on seven new players, four of whom should start: midfielder Martín Zubimendi, striker Viktor Gyökeres, and wingers Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze.

Having finished second three years running, Arteta knows that winning the title is the minimum expectation. But first he must get through Liverpool at Anfield.

A Creaky Champion

Liverpool might be unbeaten, but they’re awfully wobbly. Twice they’ve relied on last-minute heroics to put them into the win column. Happily, their team is stacked with talent capable of producing superhuman results. Liverpool actually spent $73 million MORE than Arsenal, also on seven players. Just like the visitors, some of them will start: striker Hugo Ekitiké (already has two goals), central midfielder Florian Wirtz and left-back Miloš Kerkez.

It’s in the defense that Liverpool is the weakest. Virgil van Dijk was as imperious as ever, but Ibrahim Konaté was caught out too often in last week’s Newcastle tie. Kerkez is a loose cannon, already sitting on one yellow and with an error that led to a goal. That’s as many as he had last season with Bournemouth.

Matchups to Savor

There are so many great battles to look forward to. Virgil vs. Viktor is one; can the Dutchman shut him down? With right-back an open question for the Reds, and currently occupied by central midfielder Szoboszlai, it gives Eze (or whomever starts on the left) a chance to make a statement. Expect Mohamed Salah to put Calafiori through his paces, freeing up space for Florian Wirtz. I expect a big game from the most expensive signing of the summer.

The Hooligan Take

Liverpool is the more dangerous offensive threat. Although Arsenal’s defense has yet to concede, they’ve not faced opponents of Liverpool’s caliber before. David Raya is averaging four saves per game, which indicates they’re a bit more porous than their clean sheet record indicates. Liverpool have the slight edge in head-to-head form, having won four to Arsenal’s two (with four draws).

Liverpool will win 3 goals to 2.