By Joel Lefevre
Liverpool try to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table when the two sides meet at Anfield on Sunday.
After eight matchdays, the Reds are fourth in the table, thanks to a convincing 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, putting them six points behind Arsenal, who are tied for first with Man City after defeating Everton 2-0 last weekend.
Match Context
It feels like Liverpool are finally finding their consistency and learning how Andoni Iraola wants them to play, as they enter this matchday on a five-game winning run across all competitions.
The Spanish boss has lost only 7% of his Premier League matches as a manager this year, the best percentage to begin a calendar year since former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp lost just 3% of his first 37 EPL matches as the Reds coach in 2019.
Defensively, this team have come a long way, collecting four clean sheets in their six Premier League matches played since September, more than any English top-flight team in that time period.
This is a remarkable improvement from where they were at the beginning of this calendar year, as they collect five clean sheets in their first 22 matches of 2026.
Another area that Liverpool have improved on from last season is set-piece defending, as they, along with Brentford, are the only teams in the Premier League, per FotMob, who haven't allowed a set-piece goal this season.
At the same time, the Merseyside club have had to be resilient on several occasions domestically, earning five points in the top flight this season after conceding the opening goal, and they made a crucial comeback to beat Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea on penalties in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Liverpool have not lost a Premier League home game against the Gunners since 2012 (2-0), winning this exact fixture 1-0 last season.
Arsenal head into this upcoming game on a down note after League Two side Fleetwood Town upset them on penalties in the Carabao Cup.
Some are calling it the biggest upset in the tournament's history, though Mikel Arteta’s men have fared much better in the Premier League.
They enter matchday nine having won their last three games in this competition, with back-to-back clean sheets.
While they have had to rely on their defenders at times to find the back of the net, their stellar backline is a big reason they’re in with a great chance to retain their Premier League crown.
In 2026, the Gunners have kept a clean sheet in 56% of their league matches (15/27), the third-best tally in a year in their history, behind the 1998 (61%, 23/38) and 1903 teams (59%, 19/32).
With a victory on Sunday, Arsenal would become only the second Premier League side to reach 300 away wins, with the other being Manchester United.
Anfield, however, has not been kind to the North Londoners, as they have an 18% win rate at the venue, winning only six of their 34 trips there in the Premier League, the lowest of any stadium they’ve visited at least 10 times.
Tactical Breakdown
A key tactical battle to watch is how Liverpool’s high press and transition game handle the Gunners’ compact block. Iraola will look to apply early intensity and utilise striker Alexander Isak to stretch that Arsenal backline.
In addition, Alex Mac Allister will be called upon to attack the gaps that Arsenal tends to leave in the midfield.
Liverpool's defensive work in dead-ball situations will be tested against one of the most potent Premier League sides on set pieces. Declan Rice is a huge weapon for the Gunners, while Gabriel is a danger in the air and not afraid to throw his weight around.
Key Players to Watch
In what promises to be a fascinating matchup on Sunday, creativity will be important as Florian Wirtz seeks to break out for the Reds and test the Arsenal backline. On the opposite team, Ødegaard, if he’s healthy, or Eberechi Eze will try to dictate the tempo for the visitors.
Wirtz will look to find the speedy Bradley Barcola in space and let him run at the Arsenal defence, as the Frenchman will be a huge threat down the flanks.
Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk and Jérémy Jacquet will be tested by Kai Havertz and/or Viktor Gyökeres, who will look to find space behind them.
Predicted XI and Team News
On the Liverpool side, Victor Muñoz is questionable due to a knock, as are Dominik Szoboszlai and Jeremie Frimpong, who have hamstring strains.
Conor Bradley has a knee injury, while Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitiké are out with an ACL and Achilles injury, respectively.
Alexander Isak has been critical to Liverpool’s improved form, with six goals in his last six Premier League outings.
Arsenal will be without some key contributors this weekend, as Bukayo Saka deals with a quad strain, and William Saliba has a back injury.
Also out could be Christos Tzolis and Riccardo Calafiori with injuries, while Noni Madueke has a tender ankle and Declan Rice should be available despite a minor knock.
Having Rice and Ødegaard on the pitch could make a huge difference for Arsenal on Sunday at Anfield. Over the first eight matchdays of this season, they were the top players for line-breaking passes in the final third, with Rice at 93 and his Norwegian club mate at 89.
Liverpool: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak
Arsenal: Raya; White, Konsa, Magalhães, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Guimarães; Havertz, Ødegaard, Eze; Gyökeres
Result
In the last four meetings between these two, three have been draws, and four of those last five competitive outings at Anfield have also ended in draws.
Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
These are two well-organised defensive units that have been strong and compact in many areas, so I expect a tight defensive chess match with no decisive edge.
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