Liverpool v Arsenal preview: Champions face injury-hit Anfield test

Arsenal’s seven wins from eight league outings make this a demanding assignment, but recent meetings offer Liverpool encouragement. They won this fixture 1-0 in August 2025 before January’s goalless return. The two preceding league encounters both finished 2-2: evidence that this pairing can deliver either a tactical squeeze or a proper exchange of punches.

Form guide

Liverpool’s latest results have certainly supplied entertainment. Their five listed matches include a 6-3 victory at Lask Linz and a 4-3 win over Villarreal, alongside league successes at Brentford, 2-1, and against Brighton, 2-0. Wednesday’s 1-1 League Cup draw with Chelsea followed those four wins. The attacking output is encouraging; the European goals conceded offer a reminder of the need for control.

Arsenal arrive after a rather less comfortable cup experience: Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Fleetwood Town ended in elimination on penalties. Their recent league results are sturdier, with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest followed by a 2-0 victory over Everton. A 3-0 success against Lille and a 2-2 draw at Bayern München also feature in their last five. The challenge is to prevent that cup disappointment spilling into Sunday.

Team news

Squawka’s preview lists Liverpool as missing Hugo Ekitike with a calf/shin/heel issue, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley with knee injuries, and Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai with thigh problems. Víctor Muñoz is a doubt with a knee complaint. The same report expects Alexander Isak to lead the attack, with Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz supplying creativity, although the line-up remains to be confirmed.

For Arsenal, that report lists Bukayo Saka and Christos Tzolis as absent with thigh injuries, alongside William Saliba with a lower-back problem. Kai Havertz is expected to spearhead the attack. Touchline’s coverage also highlights Max Dowman’s dismissal at Fleetwood and Mikel Arteta’s reduced wide options; his availability for Sunday is not explicitly confirmed in the supplied material.

Key battle

Liverpool’s attacking invention against Arsenal’s defensive resistance looks decisive. Arsenal have conceded just five league goals in eight games, compared with Liverpool’s eight, but Saliba’s reported absence makes this a test of their ability to maintain those standards. If Isak, Gakpo and Wirtz start as anticipated, their understanding could be central to making that reshuffled defence uncomfortable.

At the other end, Liverpool must balance ambition with protection. Their European scorelines suggest an open contest would carry risks, even with Arsenal short of wide options. For the visitors, keeping possession with purpose rather than allowing the Fleetwood setback to hurry their decisions could help take the edge off Liverpool’s home advantage.

Touchline prediction

Our prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal: Arsenal’s stronger league record meets Liverpool’s encouraging recent results and favourable head-to-head record, making a tight draw the call.