One of many Premier League’s largest rivalries resumes this weekend when champions Liverpool host final season’s runners-up Arsenal. BBC Sport takes a take a look at among the key themes because the title rivals put together to face off.
Will defenders determine this sport?
This fixture has seen 78 objectives scored prior to now 20 video games – probably the most of any Premier League encounter for the reason that begin of 2015-16 – however how each groups defend could show the deciding issue at Anfield on Sunday.
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Liverpool have scored in 98% of their video games underneath Arne Slot (39/40) – the best share by any supervisor in Premier League historical past. Nonetheless, a revamped backline has regarded more and more susceptible thus far this season.
The Reds had let a two-goal lead slip in opposition to 10-man on Monday night time – till 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha received the sport within the tenth minute of stoppage time, and in doing so turned the second-youngest participant to attain on his Premier League debut.
Liverpool have conceded 4 objectives from simply six photographs on track thus far this season, suggesting they’re giving up an uncharacteristic variety of high-quality possibilities. Solely Leeds have conceded extra typically per shot on track than Slot’s males in 2025-26. It took Liverpool 9 league video games to concede 4 objectives final time period.
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Arsenal’s risk from corners
Whereas Liverpool are bedding in new arrival Milos Kerkez, and have misplaced fellow summer time signing Jeremie Frimpong to a hamstring damage, Arsenal’s settled defence – based on the formidable centre-half pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba – are but to concede a aim in two Premier League matches.
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The Gunners’ rearguard effort at Outdated Trafford on the opening weekend was essential to a 1-0 win in opposition to
Ought to Arsenal hold issues tight at Anfield, a favoured weapon could possibly be sufficient to settle the end result. Mikel Arteta’s facet have scored 33 objectives from corners for the reason that begin of 2023-24 – no less than 10 greater than another facet within the prime 5 European leagues.
The Gunners have additionally scored from a nook of their previous three video games and could have achieved so in 4 for the primary time in the event that they achieve this once more at Anfield.
Arsenal present the largest risk from corners in Europe [BBC]
And whereas a lot focus could also be on the recruitment of marquee forwards Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike, hold an eye fixed out for Jurrien Timber. The Arsenal full-back has scored two objectives and assisted three in his previous 5 Premier League begins.
Within the 5-0 win over Timber turned the primary defender to attain two objectives and get an help in a Premier League fixture in additional than a decade.