Anfield Test: Liverpool vs Arsenal — What to Expect

Two teams who’ve started the season well meet at Anfield on Sunday, and — well — it already feels like a proper early-season measuring stick. Liverpool host Arsenal on August 31, 2025, with kick-off at 4:30pm BST. Both clubs took maximum points from their opening fixtures, and after a few rounds we now have a small pack chasing the top. This game is the sort of clash that tells you a little more about each side than three wins against lesser opposition ever could.

I’m honest: I’m looking forward to it. There’s a hint of old-school rivalry backing this one, even if managers, transfer windows and tactics have changed. Each side arrives with questions as well as strengths, so expect fireworks — or at least some tactical chess that gets broken up by moments of individual brilliance.

Team news — who’s likely to play and who’s missing

Liverpool’s injury list isn’t long, but it contains a couple of names that matter. Jeremie Frimpong is out with a hamstring problem, which is annoying given how much width and energy he offers. Harvey Elliott’s participation is uncertain amid transfer talk — that kind of off-field noise can change things quickly. Virgil van Dijk looks fit after that hefty challenge at Newcastle, which is a relief for Liverpool fans. Conor Bradley returning helps slot Dominik Szoboszlai back into the midfield mix where Slot wants him. There’s talk of Rio Ngumoha after his cameo at St James’ Park — a lovely moment for the kid — but don’t expect him to start just yet.

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Arsenal’s situation reads a bit more fragile. Kai Havertz is out after knee surgery, which removes one option Arteta might have used to vary his attack. Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka picked up knocks against Leeds; their fitness will be watched closely. If either or both miss out, Arsenal lose not just quality but a certain kind of attacking flow that’s hard to replicate. New signing Eberechi Eze might get minutes at Anfield, and if he does, that’s a spicy subplot — his creativity could unsettle Liverpool’s backline. Viktor Gyokeres looks set to keep his spot up front. Christian Norgaard is also a doubt, so there’s a possibility Arteta opts for a more conservative midfield, though that might blunt Arsenal’s sharpness.

I’ll say it plainly: both managers could be juggling more than they’d like. Small absences tilt the balance.

Tactics and likely patterns — where the game will be decided

Liverpool under Arne Slot have started brightly on the offensive side: goals have been flowing. They press, they keep the ball, and they try to overload the final third. That’s exciting but it leaves a price to pay: space behind the full-backs. When possessions are surrendered at the wrong moment, Liverpool have looked vulnerable to fast counters. Arsenal are the kind of team that can exploit that — quick, composed in transition, and with forward runners ready to hurt teams on the break.

Arsenal, by contrast, have seemed tidy. Their defensive structure has been solid and their attack is more than just one or two players link-up; it feels collective. If Odegaard and Saka are fit, their interplay with the forwards becomes a real headache for defenders. If they’re not, Eze and Gyokeres need to provide different angles: Eze with close control and line-splitting passes; Gyokeres with physicality and presence to occupy centre-backs. The midfield contest is the one I’ll watch most closely: Mac Allister and Szoboszlai versus Rice and Jorginho. That’s a battle of rhythm and territory. Whichever side controls midfield will likely control the game’s pace and chances.

A small, perhaps obvious point: set pieces might matter. Both defences have shown occasional lapses. In a tight game, corners or free-kicks can be decisive. Don’t ignore them.

Players to watch — impact makers who could tilt the match

• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): He’s still the go-to threat. Salah stretches defences and pulls attention; even when he’s not scoring, he creates space for others.
• Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool): Back in midfield, his movement and passing set the tempo for Liverpool’s attacking moments. He’s the energiser.
• Declan Rice (Arsenal): A glue player. Breaks things up, then starts attacks. A quiet masterclass from him could be the difference.
• Eberechi Eze (Arsenal): If he starts, you’ll see creative sparks. He’s unpredictable, which is exactly what you need away at Anfield.
• Bukayo Saka / Martin Odegaard — if fit, both lift Arsenal’s threat significantly. Their presence changes defensive priorities for Liverpool.

I personally have a soft spot for these match-ups — they often produce moments that feel slightly chaotic: a mix of structure and improvisation. That uncertainty makes it entertaining.

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Prediction — who might edge it?

This will be a close one. Liverpool have the Anfield atmosphere behind them; that matters. Arsenal have been organised and harder to break down so far. Both teams can score, and both can be caught out. If Arsenal get their full-strength XI, I’d give them a small advantage because of their defensive discipline and the way they control transitions. If Liverpool get Szoboszlai firing and Salah on the back of good service, they’ll be dangerous on the break.

So, I’ll go with Arsenal to scrape a win at Anfield — 2-1. It feels like a narrow, tense result: chances for both sides, a moment or two of brilliance, and probably a late stretch of nerves. But, then again, football is funny that way. Sometimes the margin is tiny, sometimes it’s a bit dramatic. Either way, it should be a match worth watching.