Liverpool welcome Premier League title rivals Arsenal to Anfield for a crunch showdown on August 31.
Arne Slot secured a debut top-flight title at the end of the 2024/25 campaign as Mikel Arteta’s Gunners finished in second spot for the third season running.
Both managers have invested heavily in their squads over the summer with Slot bringing in Premier League transfer record-breaker Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
Arteta’s drive to bring the title to Emirates Stadium has seem him upgrade Arsenal’s options with moves for Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres.
Both Slot and Arteta won their opening two games of the new season and the stakes will be high at Anfield, even this early in 2025/26.
Liverpool vs. Arsenal lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Slot faces some key selection calls on the back of a bruising and dramatic 3-2 win at Newcastle United on August 25.
Dominik Szoboszlai covered at right-back, with Jeremie Frimpong sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Conor Bradley not fit enough to start. Slot said the latter has trained well this week and he could be in contention for a first start of the campaign.
Curtis Jones is expected to drop to the bench, and Slot must decide on pushing Szoboszlai back into midfield, or recalling Alexis Mac Allister, who missed the Newcastle with a minor injury.
Virgil van Dijk has been passed fit after being hurt by the challenge that saw Anthony Gordon sent off.
Liverpool predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez — Gravenberch, Mac Allister — Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo — Ekitike
Injured: Frimpong (hamstring)
Suspended: None
Arteta has been dealt a blow with Bukayo Saka ruled out until mid-September with a hamstring strain.
The England star was forced off in the second half of Arsenal’s 5-0 home win over Leeds United last weekend and his absence is a big set-back, albeit one that the Gunners should now be better equipped to deal with after thanks to this transfer window.
Captain Martin Odegaard was also taken off with a shoulder problem against Leeds, but Arteta is confident the Norway international will be back in time for the trip to Anfield. Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are still out, though, and Ben White has a minor niggle that could keep him sidelined this weekend.
Noni Madueke could get the nod to start in Saka’s right-sided slot with new signing Eberechi Eze potentially drafted in for his debut on the left of Arsenal’s attack.
MORE: ‘They can’t defend’ – Liverpool legend demands Florian Wirtz position change
Arsenal predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori — Zubimendi, Rice — Madueke, Odegaard, Eze — Gyokeres
Injured: Saka (hamstring), Havertz (knee), Jesus (knee), Norgaard (knock, doubt), White (knock, doubt)
Suspended: None
Liverpool vs. Arsenal match details
- Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
- Kickoff time: 4:30 p.m. local / 11:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. PT / 1:30 a.m. AEST (September 1)
- Location: Anfield, Liverpool
- Competition: Premier League
- Referee: Chris Kavanagh
- VAR: Michael Salisbury
