Preview: Liverpool v Arsenal

We aim to get over our Champions League heartbreak when we head to Liverpool on Sunday (4.30pm), looking to rain on the champions’ parade.

It’s been nearly 13 years since we tasted victory at Anfield, but head there aiming to end that run, having not lost our last five league games against the Reds and take a 12-game unbeaten away run to Merseyside, the longest in the division.

The Reds wrapped up the title a fortnight ago and perhaps that caught up with them at Chelsea last week, but while the party is set to continue back on home turf, we’ll look to lay down an early marker heading into 2025/26 when the Reds attempt to defend their crown.

Slotted in nicely

After taking over from the legendary Jurgen Klopp at the start of the season, Arne Slot has quickly made himself just as iconic a figure as his predecessor by steering the Reds to their record-equalling 20th league title with four games to go.

The Dutchman quickly found his feet in the Premier League, and five wins from his opening six games saw the Reds hit top spot in September and stay there for pretty much the remainder of a campaign, spearheaded by Mohamed Salah who comfortably leads the division for goals scored (28) and created (18).

Sunday’s defeat at Chelsea was only their third of the campaign, but Slot will be rueing his side exiting the Champions League on penalties to PSG at the round of 16, having finished second in the league phase. They also lost the final of the League Cup to Newcastle United while they were stunned by Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round, but all that has been forgotten with a second-ever Premier League trophy now in the cabinet.

What the managers say

Arteta: "You cannot win the Premier League, that's clear, but the last 16 days that we have with three games to go, make sure that we make ourselves proud at least to compete and end in the manner that we deserve.

“But this is what we are, when we get so close to winning big trophies and you don't achieve it, it has to be part of that journey. We have to be able now to go immediately into a different competition and perform at the highest level, that's it.”

Slot: "These two teams have the highest possible standard of what you can ask for, both very good teams, we both want to win, but it's a bit different that when the league would still be finished that we wouldn't have won the league title yet.

"Both teams will look forward to playing this game, so it's difficult to predict. There is a little bit at stake for Arsenal as I presume they would rather finish second than third or fourth. It's difficult to predict if it will be edgy but it is a game to look forward to."

Team news

Riccardo Calafiori and Jorginho returned to our matchday squad in Paris on Wednesday night to ease our injury concerns, with long-term absentees Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel all still unavailable.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold confirming his departure this week, Slot has admitted that Connor Bradley will start at right-back in this game to help build him up ahead of next season.

Joe Gomez is Liverpool’s main casualty who has been out for half of the campaign with a hamstring injury, and while he is closing in on a return, this game could be too soon. Young midfielder Tyler Morton is also missing with a shoulder problem.

TALKING TACTICS

Adrian Clarke: At Anfield, the Reds have won 10 out of 10 after taking the lead, and across the entire Premier League campaign they have been victorious in 21 of 23 matches where they went 1-0 up. Their mentality and concentration levels are very strong.

In moments where we are on top, we must be wary of the threat they carry from turnovers. No side in the division comes close to the 62 shots they have produced from fast breaks, or the 14 goals scored from those situations. Despite averaging over 58 per cent of possession, the champions are at their most potent from counters.

We must not underestimate their power in the air either. We associate Slot’s side with slick football and individual brilliance from wide men Salah and Luis Diaz, but they also score a lot of goals from headers, the joint most in the top-flight (11). Virgil van Dijk, who scored against us earlier this season, is usually the target from corners and will need to be closely marked.

There are no major weaknesses in a side that’s lost just three times this season, but a heavy pressing game could bear fruit. Liverpool conceded at Fulham when losing the ball from one of their own goal kicks, and with the title secured they may have understandably dipped in terms of their focus and desire. We have won possession inside the final third 178 times this season, the second highest figure of all Premier League sides, so this is a strength we should try to use at Anfield.

Facts and stats

We are unbeaten in our last 12 league away games since a 1-0 loss at Newcastle in November, the longest ongoing away unbeaten run in the division.

Liverpool have won 13 of their last 15 Premier League home games since a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in September. They’re also unbeaten in 15 at Anfield in the month of May since a 1-3 loss to Crystal Palace in 2015.

We last lost consecutive league games in December 2023.

We have won two of our last four Premier League games against teams starting the day top of the table, with both coming against Liverpool (2-1 in July 2020, 3-1 in February 2024).

Liverpool have scored 111 Premier League goals against us, 22 more than the next side (Man Utd, 89).

Mohamed Salah has scored 11 Premier League goals against us, only netting more against Manchester United and Tottenham. The Egyptian has also scored in each of his last three games against us.

Bukayo Saka has scored four goals in his last five Premier League games against Liverpool – against no other side has he scored more often in the league. However, all four of his strikes against them have come at the Emirates Stadium.

Since joining Liverpool, Diogo Jota has been involved in more goals against us than he has against any other side (9 – 7 goals, 2 assists in 11 apps).

Across all competitions, Gabriel Martinelli has been involved in more goals against Liverpool than he has against any other side (7 – 5 goals, 2 assists), while at no away venue has he scored more goals than at Anfield (3 – level with Selhurst Park).

Leandro Trossard has scored more Premier League goals against the Reds than he has against any other side (6) and is one of just three visiting players to net a hat-trick at Anfield alongside Peter Ndlovu (for Coventry in March 1995) and Andrey Arshavin (for Arsenal in April 2009).

Match officials

For the fifth time this season Anthony Taylor takes charge of us, which includes the reverse fixture back in October. That was one of three draws we’ve had under his watch, with the other stalemates coming at Manchester United and Brighton when he handed the Seagulls a highly contentious penalty.

We did receive two spot-kicks when we beat West Ham United 5-2 in October, but he has highs for red cards (5) and penalties given (9) in the Premier League this term. This will be his first appearance at Anfield in 24/25, but he has refereed the Reds on the road five times, with their draw in N5 the only blip having beaten both Manchester clubs, Wolves and West Ham.

Referee: Anthony Taylor
Assistants: Gary Beswick, Lee Betts
Fourth official: Craig Pawson
VAR: Paul Tierney
Assistant VAR: Mat Wilkes

Recent visits to Anfield

Despite holding a special place in Gooners’ hearts thanks to the events of 1989, in recent years the red half of Merseyside hasn't been a happy hunting ground. Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 14 home games against us in all competitions since a 2-0 loss in the Premier League in September 2012 when Arteta was in our midfield.

Last season saw us take an early lead through Gabiel’s header but were pegged back by Salah to leave with a point in December 2023. The previous April we seemed set to claim a big win when Gabriel Martinelli and Jesus netted, but Roberto Firmino salvaged a point with an equaliser three minutes from time after Salah had netted again.

Our previous trip also saw the spoils shared after a goalless draw in a League Cup semi-final, despite us seeing Granit Xhaka sent off after just 24 minutes.

Live coverage

Tune into Live From N5 just before kick-off to hear live commentary of the game provided by Dan Roebuck and Adrian Clarke, who will guide you through all the action if you’re out and about.

You can also find out which broadcasters are showing the action live wherever you are in the world.