This game is going to be a cracker but it's not going to be title decider, If Liverpool wins this, it's going to be a statement to teams challenging for the title. This is not going to be easy, and our defence is going to be tested to the limits . Every player have to be a defender when we lose the ball, Chris Kavanagh has been appointed as the referee for this game, please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Game: Liverpool v Arsenal Venue : Anfield Time: 16:30 Date: Sunday 31/08?2025
Last night showed that we're vulnerable to set pieces and Arsenal seemingly only score from set pieces. At least we're at home and the ref shouldn't blow his whistle every time the oppo falls over.
Will be a good game, Arsenal haven't been all that either and now without a couple of key players so I think we'll fancy it.
Arsenal mainly score from open play vis Sakha or Odergard and both will probably miss this game. I expect them to come to defend then try and score from a corner/set piece, which they are good at. If we score first and they have to come at us we can then have further joy on the break. The worst case scenario is if they score first then just put 10 men behind the ball and we have to break them down. Of course if we go 2 up we will than stop playing until it goes to 2-2
Can't call this. Our issue on set piece seems to be where to set the line up. We used to just catch sides with offside on frees but we rarely do that under slot. Corners are not awful. The two goals were a long throw cleared then then allowed back in as a cross. We are scrambling to reset and short of bodies by the look of it. The second one was ****e. Sky tore it apart last night. It was obviously cooked up on the fly but we first didn't deal with burn but second didn't track the runners off him. We were better off back and let it come in as anything long is then gone out and you can at least jump with burn without also back pedalling. Anyway. Vvd should have automatically taken burn and smashed the guy. Konate wasnt smashing anyone
Its also about intensity. Arsenal will have all the options but are really narrow. If we can get both gravenberch and mcallister in the middle and somehow get wirtz actually on the ball rather than running about trying to help without it then we have a chance Going to be tough though. We need anfield to help us big time. But look, we know last year it was a dog fight the one time it actually mattered so our spine of team.meeds to be strong. Ekitike and wittz got a real wake up to English football last night. They need to take that on board for this one.
The last 4 games at anfield have been draws. 0-0 2-2 1-1 2-2 Not brilliant. But the toughest home game for us l, even more than city imo.
With corners, we zonal mark. We ask the smaller lads to mark but often these 1v1's are very one sided. Last year, we had AMC and Jota marking Burns, yesterday it was Salah. They're just there to be a nuisance to give VVD, Konate, etc a better chance of getting there first. Unfortunately, this means the opposition player occasionally gets a free run to attack the ball because they've shrugged off our "midget marker"
Saka supposed to be out until September with a hamstring injury and Odagard has a shoulder injury. Maybe they will recover, but Saka is the one most likely to miss the game.
Don't know why but I thought this was an away game. Obviously, more confident with it being at Anfield
Wonder if Macca will be available for this game. I would like to see Gomez or Bradley at RB so Sobz can play in midfield. Winning the midfield battle will be key in this game, so Macca, Sobz Grav, and Wirtz are essential in there. I have no concerns with the attack, even though Salah has not been at his best. Gakpo to start and Rio to come on with 30 minutes to go. Only real worry is Kerkez who seem to dive in a lot.
Saka out for 3-4 weeks. Odegaard likely to be assessed ahead of the game. We'll probably play Madueke on the right, with Max Dowman coming on as a sub. If there's no Odegaard, then I'd expect Eze to come in a play his position. If not then I think Eze will start on the left. As long as we can defend against your front three, then I think we've got a decent chance in this game. You'll want to come and attack us, which should suit us tbh. We're very good on the break and we also now have the option of a ball over the top to Gyokeres, who loves to feed on those sorts of balls in behind.
Agree with RB, I think Bradley will start. It'll be two of the three highlighted. Leaving the attacking four (Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo and Ekitike) the same. If all three highlighted play, then I think it'll be Gakpo that's dropped with Wirtz going left
Arsenal have brilliant record against big 6 - undefeated since Arteta came in but a lot of those are draws especially away from home. Saka out injured is big miss for them but they have depth. They’re the best defence in the league but we have brilliant attack even when not on form. The huge one will be how we cope with their set pieces though.
Whoever wins this wins the title. Sorry- the other 30 odd games don't count, they're going to be cancelled after this game is over and the 2026 champions crowned.
