All eyes are on Anfield this Sunday night as Liverpool and Arsenal prepare to lock horns in what promises to be a blockbuster Premier League clash. The third week of the 2025/2026 campaign brings together last season’s champion and runner-up, both eager to assert early dominance in a rivalry that stretches back over a century. With the kick-off scheduled for 22:30 WIB, fans across the globe are bracing for a contest that could set the tone for the title chase ahead.
This encounter marks the 215th meeting between these English giants in all competitions, a figure that underscores the magnitude of their shared history. Out of the previous 214 showdowns, Liverpool have claimed victory 80 times, Arsenal 73, while 61 matches have ended all square. The last two league meetings? Both ended in thrilling 2-2 draws, a testament to just how evenly matched these teams have been in recent seasons.
Heading into the weekend, both Liverpool and Arsenal boast perfect records—two wins from two. Yet, it’s Arsenal who sit atop the table, their superior goal difference and defensive solidity giving them the edge. The Gunners kicked off their campaign with a gritty 1-0 win at Old Trafford before steamrolling Leeds United 5-0 at home. Viktor Gyokeres, Arsenal’s marquee summer signing, wasted little time making an impact, netting twice in that rout, while Jurrien Timber also added a brace to his name.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have shown their own attacking flair, dispatching Bournemouth 4-2 at Anfield and edging Newcastle 3-2 away. The Reds’ goals have come from a variety of sources—six different scorers in all—but it’s new arrival Hugo Ekitike who has grabbed the headlines, bagging two goals in his first two league outings. Mohamed Salah, as ever, remains a threat, especially against Arsenal; the Egyptian has scored 11 times in 18 appearances versus the Gunners, a statistic that will surely keep Mikel Arteta awake at night.
Team news ahead of this high-stakes battle is a mixed bag. Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who took the reins this summer, reported no fresh injury worries. "Mac Allister has started training again. Virgil (van Dijk) is fine," Slot told Sky Sports. Conor Bradley, who had been dealing with fitness issues, has completed a full week of training and could feature.
Across the divide, Arsenal are dealing with a spate of injuries. Bukayo Saka, the electric winger, is sidelined with a hamstring problem sustained against Leeds and will miss several weeks. Martin Odegaard, the team’s creative heartbeat, remains a doubt after being forced off in the same fixture. Kai Havertz is still recovering from knee surgery, while Ben White and Christian Norgaard are being monitored. There’s some good news, though: Gabriel Jesus is back on the pitch after an ACL injury, though he’s not yet ready for competitive action. New signing Eberechi Eze could make his Arsenal debut, adding another layer of intrigue to Arteta’s lineup.
The predicted starting elevens reflect both teams’ depth and tactical flexibility. Liverpool are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 with Alisson Becker in goal, a backline marshaled by Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, and a midfield anchored by Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai. Up front, Ekitike will lead the line, flanked by the ever-dangerous Salah, with Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo providing attacking support.
Arsenal, likely to mirror Liverpool’s shape, could start David Raya between the posts, with Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Riccardo Calafiori forming the defensive unit. Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are set to anchor the midfield alongside potential debutant Eze. The attacking trio could feature Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, and the in-form Gyokeres.
As for the managers, both are keenly aware of the stakes. Slot, speaking candidly about the challenges of the early season, remarked, "Early season is difficult and Arsenal may have an advantage due to squad stability." He acknowledged the loss of key players over the summer but remains confident in Liverpool’s new recruits, adding, "We want to play better, and I think it's natural if we do." Slot also noted the fierce competition in the Premier League, suggesting that a record points total is unlikely this year given the league’s parity.
Arteta, for his part, was quick to praise Liverpool’s consistency and champion mentality. "They were the better team last year, the most consistent, always finding ways to win," he said in his pre-match press conference. The Arsenal boss is determined to see his squad emulate that resilience, stating, "We want to be that team this year." Arteta stressed the importance of maintaining momentum, especially after a convincing preseason and two strong league performances. "Going to stadiums like Anfield and facing opponents like this is what we want," he declared. "After big matches, we want to keep winning convincingly."
With both sides in fine form, expectations are sky-high. Arsenal’s defense has been rock-solid, conceding zero goals in their opening two games, while Liverpool’s attack looks as potent as ever, with Ekitike already proving a handful for Premier League defenses. The head-to-head statistics over the last five meetings show just how tight this fixture can be: two draws, two Liverpool victories, and one Arsenal win.
What could tip the scales? For Arsenal, Gyokeres’ physical presence up top offers a new dimension, as Slot admitted: "Gyokeres is more of a target man, so maybe that's where there's a slight difference." For Liverpool, the return to fitness of key players and the emergence of Ekitike could be decisive. And don’t forget Salah’s penchant for scoring against the Gunners—could he add to his tally yet again?
Fans can catch the action live on Vidio.com, with coverage set to capture every twist and turn of what’s sure to be a fiercely contested match. The atmosphere at Anfield will be electric, the stakes high, and the margins razor-thin. While pundits and bookmakers alike are calling this one too close to call—many predicting a draw—one thing’s for sure: the Premier League title race is well and truly underway, and neither Liverpool nor Arsenal will want to blink first.
As Sunday night approaches, anticipation mounts. Will Liverpool’s attacking firepower break Arsenal’s defensive wall, or will the Gunners’ newfound resilience and fresh faces deliver a statement win at Anfield? The answers will unfold under the floodlights, in a rivalry that never fails to deliver drama.
