Watch live on Saturday Night Football from 5pm; kick-off 5.30pm
Saturday 24 August 2019 07:58, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Liverpool vs Arsenal in the Premier League.
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.
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.
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.
As a former Arsenal player, I'm dreading this game.
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.
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.
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)
