Liverpool welcome Premier League title rivals Arsenal to Anfield for a crunch showdown on August 31.
Arne Slot secured a debut top-flight title at the end of the 2024/25 campaign as Mikel Arteta's Gunners finished in second spot for the third season running.
Both managers have invested heavily in their squads over the summer with Slot bringing in Premier League transfer record breaker Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
Arteta's drive to bring the title back to the Emirates Stadium has seem him upgrade Arsenal's options with moves for Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres.
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Both Slot and Arteta have won their opening two games of the new season - and the stakes will be high at Anfield - despite only being three games into the 2025/26 season.
Liverpool vs. Arsenal lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Slot faces some key selection calls on the back of a bruising and dramatic 3-2 win at Newcastle United on August 25.
Dominik Szoboszlai covered at right-back, with Jeremie Frimpong sidelined with a hamstring injury, and Conor Bradley not fit enough to start.
Frimpong remains out until after the September international break with Bradley set for his first start of the campaign.
Curtis Jones is expected to drop to the bench, and Slot must decide on pushing Szoboszlai back into midfield, or recalling Alexis Mac Allister who missed the Newcastle with a minor injury.
Liverpool starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez — Gravenberch, Mac Allister — Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo — Ekitike.
Injured: Frimpong (hamstring)
Suspended: None
Arteta has been dealt a major blow with Bukayo Saka ruled out until mid-September with a hamstring strain.
The England star was forced off in the second half of Arsenal's 5-0 home win over Leeds United last weekend and his absence is a major blow to Arteta's plans.
Captain Martin Odegaard was also taken off with a shoulder problem against Leeds, but Arteta is confident the Norway international will be back in time for the trip to Anfield, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz still out.
Noni Madueke could get the nod to start in Saka's right-sided slot with new signing Eberechi Eze potentially drafted in for his debut on the left of Arsenal's attack.
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Arsenal starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Raya (GK) — Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori — Zubimendi, Rice — Madueke, Odegaard, Eze — Gyokeres.
Injured: Saka (hamstring), Havertz (knee), Jesus (knee), Norgaard (doubtful), White (doubtful).
Suspended: None.
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Liverpool vs. Arsenal match details
- Date: Monday, September 1, 2025
- Kickoff time: 1:30 a.m. AEST
- Location: Anfield, Liverpool
- Competition: Premier League
- Referee: Chris Kavanagh
- VAR: Michael Salisbury