Liverpool vs Arsenal preview

Watch live on Saturday Night Football from 5pm; kick-off 5.30pm

Image: Liverpool vs Arsenal live on Saturday Night Football

Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Liverpool vs Arsenal in the Premier League.

Team news

Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns but Adrian is again likely to deputise for the injured Alisson. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are likely to return to midfield in place of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner. Naby Keita remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from a muscle strain.

Liverpool forward Divock Origi says he is ready to make an impact whenever manager Jurgen Klopp selects him

Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil are back in training and could play a part for Arsenal this weekend. Rob Holding (knee) has also started participating in full training. However, Emile Smith Rowe (groin), Hector Bellerin (knee), Kieran Tierney (groin) and Dinos Mavropanos (groin) all remain sidelined.

A look at some of the key stats surrounding this weekend's Premier League action, which includes Everton travelling to Aston Villa, Liverpool v Arsenal and Manchester City at Bournemouth

How to watch

Liverpool vs Arsenal is live on Sunday Night Football from 5pm; kick-off is at 5.30pm. Sky Sports customers can watch in-game clips in the live match blog on the Sky Sports website and app. Highlights will also be published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after the final whistle.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says that Mane, Salah and Firmino will need a rest after a busy summer and plenty of games ahead for Jurgen Klopp's men

Opta stats

  • Liverpool are unbeaten in their last eight matches against Arsenal in all competitions (W4 D4) - they last enjoyed a longer such run in February 2000 (14 games).
  • Arsenal are without a win in their last six visits to Anfield to play Liverpool in the Premier League (W0 D2 L4), conceding two or more goals in each match (22 in total).
  • No Premier League fixture has seen more goals than matches between Liverpool and Arsenal (155 goals in 54 games). The fixture has also seen the most hat-tricks in the competition (6 - Robbie Fowler 2, Thierry Henry, Peter Crouch, Andrey Arshavin and Roberto Firmino).
  • Liverpool have won 11 consecutive Premier League matches, equalling their best-ever winning streak in the competition, previously set between February and April 2014 under Brendan Rodgers. Victory against Arsenal would see Liverpool equal their longest winning run in league competition (12 between April-October 1990 under Kenny Dalglish).
  • Liverpool have gone 41 Premier League games without defeat at Anfield (W31 D10 L0), since a 1-2 defeat to Sam Allardyce's Crystal Palace - a run lasting two years and 123 days.
  • Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is one goal away from becoming the first Brazilian player to score 50 Premier League goals.
  • Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has faced Arsenal seven times without defeat in the Premier League (W4 D3) - against no side has he faced more without losing in the English top flight (7 - level with Everton).

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Charlie Nicholas' prediction

As a former Arsenal player, I'm dreading this game.

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It's been a good start for Arsenal. They haven't played fabulously well but they got a dogged win at Newcastle and then beat Burnley, which was a bit of a grind. But how are they going to defend against Liverpool?

Arsenal have improved a bit defensively but it will take time. David Luiz could make mistakes or he could have a man-of-the-match performance. Sokratis doesn't offer enough for me and they are still vulnerable in the full-back areas.

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Liverpool are strong favourites for me, but there is some intrigue in seeing Arsenal try and take on Liverpool's defence at the moment, especially with Adrian in goal instead of Alisson.

I think Arsenal should play a back four with two protectors in front. I don't want Granit Xhaka in the team, I would prefer Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi. They would give Arsenal energy and defensive qualities. Then I would want Alexandre Lacazette through the middle and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe to provide pace on the counter and make things happen, with Dani Ceballos just behind them.

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I'd have that line-up to give Arsenal a back six and then a front four that could cause Liverpool problems on the counter-attack.

I think Unai Emery will go a bit more cautious and play Aubameyang with Lacazette on the bench, maybe along with Ceballos. If he does that then Liverpool will win.

Arsenal have to look at a way to get the first goal and try to hurt Liverpool and put them on the back foot. However, I have a feeling Emery might be a bit more negative.

Ceballos is very neat and tidy. Against Burnley, he looked a yard sharper than he did on the opening weekend and that's a promising sign. He looks like a good player for Arsenal and I would start him.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: 3-1 (10/1 with Sky Bet)

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