Arsenal have spent the best part of 14 years trying to win a Premier League match at Anfield. On Sunday, they arrive as defending champions, level on points at the top of the table, and fresh from being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Fleetwood Town.

Football has a funny way of keeping everyone humble.

Mikel Arteta’s side suffered one of the shocks of the season on Tuesday, losing on penalties to League Two opposition after Max Dowman’s red card. It was an embarrassing evening, but Arsenal’s league form tells a very different story.

The Gunners have won seven of their opening eight Premier League matches, with last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Everton keeping them level with Manchester City on 21 points.

Liverpool, meanwhile, are beginning to look like a serious threat again.

Andoni Iraola’s side have recovered from their 3-0 defeat against City with victories over Brentford and Brighton, while Alexander Isak is starting to justify his reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous forwards.

Wednesday’s penalty shootout victory over Chelsea also kept Liverpool’s Carabao Cup campaign alive, although it came at the cost of another demanding evening for a squad already dealing with several injuries.

Sunday’s meeting could have a significant impact on the title race.

Liverpool sit fourth, six points behind Arsenal. A home victory would halve that deficit, while an away win would leave the Reds nine points adrift after just nine matches.

Arsenal’s recent record at Anfield is hardly encouraging. They haven’t won a league match there since September 2012, although the gap between these sides has narrowed considerably in recent seasons.

Arteta must also contend with the absence of Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, while several other important players face late fitness assessments.

Liverpool have problems of their own, particularly in defence, but their recent performances suggest Iraola is finding solutions.

Arsenal have the points, the title and the stronger start to the season. Liverpool have Anfield, improving form and an opportunity to remind everyone that the title race is far from settled.

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What are the best betting tips for Liverpool vs Arsenal?

Liverpool to win

Arsenal have made the stronger start to the season, but their record at Anfield is difficult to ignore. The Gunners haven’t won a Premier League match at Liverpool’s ground since September 2012.

The Reds have also recovered well from their heavy defeat against Manchester City. Consecutive league victories over Brentford and Brighton have restored confidence, while Wednesday’s Carabao Cup success against Chelsea provided another boost.

Arsenal’s injury problems could prove significant. Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are unavailable, while Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Noni Madueke have all faced fitness concerns ahead of the trip.

Liverpool are not without problems themselves, but Iraola’s side are improving at an important time. With home advantage and Alexander Isak in good form, I fancy the Reds to edge a closely contested encounter.

Both teams to score

Liverpool have looked more convincing in recent weeks, but their defensive record suggests Arsenal should still create opportunities.

The Reds have conceded in several important fixtures this season, including three goals against Manchester City and three in their dramatic 4-3 Champions League victory over Villarreal.

Arsenal have scored 13 goals in eight Premier League matches, and the absence of Saka does not leave them short of attacking options. Martin Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyökeres are all capable of creating problems.

Liverpool have scored 11 league goals themselves, with Isak providing a focal point and Florian Wirtz offering creativity between the lines. Both managers will want defensive discipline, but there is enough attacking quality on either side for goals at both ends.

Alexander Isak anytime goalscorer

Alexander Isak is becoming increasingly important to Liverpool’s attack, with the Swedish international leading the club’s Premier League scoring charts this season.

The striker returned from the bench during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea and is expected to lead the line against Arsenal. His movement and ability to finish from difficult angles could prove particularly valuable in a tight contest.

Arsenal’s defence has been impressive, but William Saliba’s absence leaves Arteta without one of his most reliable centre-backs. Ezri Konsa and Gabriel face a demanding afternoon against a forward capable of exploiting even small gaps.

Liverpool should enjoy periods of sustained pressure at Anfield, and Isak is likely to be the main beneficiary of chances created by Wirtz and Bradley Barcola. If he starts, the Swede is my preferred goalscorer selection.

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How to watch Liverpool vs Arsenal

Date: Sunday, 1 November 2026

Kick-off: 4:30 pm GMT

Venue: Anfield, Liverpool

Competition: Premier League, Matchweek 9

United Kingdom: Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event, with streaming available through Sky Go and NOW.

United States: Peacock and Telemundo, subject to local listings.

Canada: Check Fubo’s Premier League listings.

Liverpool predicted lineup and team news

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted XI: Alisson; Araújo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Barcola, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.

Andoni Iraola is expected to restore several regular starters following Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea. Alexander Isak, Bradley Barcola, Alexis Mac Allister and Milos Kerkez are among those pushing to return.

Florian Wirtz has recovered from a recent knock and featured against Chelsea, easing concerns over his availability. Dominik Szoboszlai is nearing a return, although a starting place remains unlikely.

Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitiké remain unavailable. Ronald Araújo is therefore expected to continue at right-back, with Jérémy Jacquet partnering Virgil van Dijk in central defence.

Arsenal predicted lineup and team news

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly; Rice, Guimarães; Madueke, Ødegaard, Eze; Havertz.

Mikel Arteta faces several selection concerns ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Anfield. Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are unavailable through injury, while Max Dowman is suspended following his dismissal against Fleetwood.

Declan Rice is expected to be assessed after suffering hamstring discomfort against Everton. Noni Madueke is also a doubt with an ankle problem, while Riccardo Calafiori could miss out after picking up an injury last weekend.

Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres are competing to lead the attack, with Arteta potentially favouring Havertz’s experience in a major away fixture. Eberechi Eze and Martin Ødegaard should provide creativity behind the striker.

Liverpool vs Arsenal stats

• Arsenal sit second in the Premier League with 21 points from eight matches, level with leaders Manchester City.
• Liverpool occupy fourth place with 15 points, six behind Arsenal.
• Arsenal have won seven of their opening eight Premier League matches.
• Liverpool have scored 11 league goals this season, compared with Arsenal’s 13.
• The Gunners have conceded just five league goals, while Liverpool have conceded eight.
• Liverpool have won their last two Premier League matches, beating Brentford 2-1 and Brighton 2-0.
• Arsenal have won four of their last five league fixtures.
• Liverpool have not lost a home Premier League match against Arsenal since September 2012.
• Alexander Isak is Liverpool’s leading Premier League goalscorer this season.
• Arsenal defeated Everton 2-0 in their most recent league outing.
• Liverpool progressed past Chelsea on penalties in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie.
• Arsenal were eliminated by Fleetwood Town on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
• Arsenal are without Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, while Liverpool remain without Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley.
• A Liverpool victory would reduce Arsenal’s advantage over the Reds to three points, while an away win would extend it to nine.

Liverpool vs Arsenal prediction

Arsenal’s league form makes them difficult to oppose, but this is arguably their toughest assignment of the campaign so far.

Arteta’s side have been excellent defensively, conceding just five goals in eight matches. However, the absence of Saliba could prove significant against Liverpool’s increasingly dangerous attack.

The Gunners also face uncertainty over several important players, with Saka definitely missing and Rice, Madueke and Calafiori facing fitness concerns.

Liverpool’s own performances have not always been convincing, particularly in their 3-0 defeat against Manchester City.

However, victories over Brentford and Brighton have helped Iraola’s side rebuild momentum, while Isak and Wirtz provide the attacking quality needed to trouble Arsenal’s defence.

The atmosphere at Anfield should also play a part. Arsenal’s long wait for a league victory at the ground will inevitably become a talking point, particularly if Liverpool start strongly.

I expect Arsenal to create opportunities and make this a difficult afternoon for the hosts. But Liverpool’s improving form, attacking options and home advantage could give them the edge.

Score prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal

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