Arsenal are set to visit Liverpool for a blockbuster Premier League Matchday 9 encounter at Anfield on Sunday.
The Gunners will be looking to end their 13-year winless run on the red side of Merseyside, while the Reds will be hoping to maintain their momentum and climb further up the league standings.
Teams’ Form And Recent Performances
Liverpool
Liverpool have endured a mixed start to the 2026/27 campaign, drawing three of their opening five Premier League fixtures.
However, the Reds have since turned their fortunes around under new head coach Andoni Iraola, winning seven of their last eight matches across all competitions. Their only setback during this impressive run was a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City.
Liverpool returned to winning ways last weekend with a comfortable 2-0 victory over high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion. An own goal from Pascal Gross and a strike from Alexander Isak secured all three points for the Merseyside outfit.
Iraola’s men maintained their momentum in midweek, edging past Chelsea 6-5 on penalties to book their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The Reds will now turn their attention to Sunday’s blockbuster Premier League encounter against Arsenal at Anfield, where they will be eager to extend their impressive run and deliver another statement performance.
Arsenal
Arsenal enter the 2026/27 season as defending Premier League champions, having ended their 22-year wait for the English top-flight crown last term.
The Gunners enjoyed a flying start to their title defence, securing victories in each of their opening six matches before suffering a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion shortly before the international break.
Mikel Arteta’s side quickly recovered from that setback, recording a 2-1 home victory over Leeds United upon the resumption of action. They went on to win three of their next four fixtures, maintaining their strong form across competitions.
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However, the North London outfit suffered an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit in midweek, losing 5-3 on penalties to League Two side Fleetwood Town after the two teams played out a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The result saw Arsenal become the first reigning Premier League champions to be knocked out of the competition by a fourth-tier opponent, handing Arteta an unwanted place in English football history.
The Gunners will now be keen to put their cup disappointment behind them when they travel to Anfield on Sunday, where they face a resurgent Liverpool side in what promises to be a stern test of their title credentials.
Head-To-Head Statistics
Liverpool and Arsenal have met 238 times across all competitions, with the Reds holding the upper hand in the overall head-to-head record. The Merseyside outfit have claimed 90 victories, compared to Arsenal’s 81, while the remaining 67 encounters have ended in draws.
The Gunners have struggled to get the better of Liverpool in recent meetings, going four games without a victory against their rivals.
Arsenal have drawn three and lost once during that period, with their only defeat coming last season when Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free-kick earned Liverpool a narrow 1-0 win.
Anfield has also proven to be an unhappy hunting ground for the North London side, who have not recorded a Premier League victory at the stadium since the 2012/13 season.
Arsenal’s last league triumph at Anfield came under the management of Arsene Wenger, with summer recruits Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla finding the net in a memorable 2-0 victory.
Arteta’s men will therefore face the added challenge of overcoming their long-standing Anfield hoodoo when they take on the resurgent Reds on Sunday.
Players To Watch Out For
Liverpool
Alexander Isak
Following a disappointing 2025/26 season when he joined Liverpool for a British record transfer fee, Isak has started this campaign impressively. The Sweden international has netted six goals and provided one assist for the Reds.
Isak is a graceful, and technically gifted modern center-forward, known for his mobility, close control, dribbling style and a keen eye for goals.
Cody Gakpo
Gakpo has proved to be one of Iraola’s main men, having scored three goals and provided five assists as the Reds’ continue their upturn in form.
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The 27-year-old is a versatile and direct right-footed attacker who is primarily deployed as a left-winger or a central forward.
Arsenal
Riccardo Calafiori
Calafiori has emerged as an influential figure for Arsenal this season, making significant contributions at both ends of the pitch. The Italian defender has registered two goals and two assists while helping the Gunners keep seven clean sheets across all competitions.
The Italy international offers more than just defensive solidity, with his ability to move into midfield, drive forward with progressive carries and break opposition lines adding another dimension to Arsenal’s attacking play. His versatility and willingness to contribute in the final third have made him an important component of Arteta’s setup.
Declan Rice
Rice has continued to build on his impressive performances from last season, when he was named Arsenal’s Player of the Season. The England international has once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders.
Renowned for his exceptional defensive awareness, ball-winning ability and dynamic box-to-box qualities, Rice has also made valuable contributions in the attacking third this campaign, scoring once and providing four assists across all competitions.
His ability to dictate the tempo, break up opposition attacks and drive his team forward makes him a crucial figure in Arsenal’s midfield ahead of Sunday’s demanding trip to Anfield.
Team News
Liverpool
Liverpool could receive a timely double injury boost ahead of Sunday’s showdown, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz both in contention to feature after head coach Andoni Iraola confirmed that the pair have a chance of returning.
Szoboszlai had initially made his comeback after recovering from an injury sustained during the international break but suffered another setback in the encounter against Brentford.
Meanwhile, Munoz has been unavailable since Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over the Bees, a game in which he also found the back of the net.
Despite their potential returns, both players are expected to begin Sunday’s contest on the bench, with Iraola likely to turn to Bradley Barcola and Ryan Gravenberch to fill their respective positions.
The Reds will, however, remain without Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong, who are all sidelined as they continue their respective recoveries from injury.
Arsenal
Arsenal have received a significant quadruple injury boost ahead of their trip to Anfield, with Mikel Arteta confirming that Declan Rice, Noni Madueke and Riccardo Calafiori have returned to training after missing the midweek Carabao Cup defeat.
The Gunners have also been handed positive news regarding Christian Tzolis, who is back in contention after recovering from the hamstring problem he sustained during the international break.
The Greece international could be drafted straight into the starting lineup, potentially taking the place of Eberechi Eze as Arteta looks to strengthen his attacking options.
However, Arsenal are still sweating over the availability of Bukayo Saka, who is scheduled to undergo further medical examinations to determine the extent of the quadriceps injury he picked up during last week’s Champions League encounter against Bayern Munich.
William Saliba is also expected to miss the trip to Merseyside, having aggravated a long-standing back problem at the World Cup this summer.
Arteta will therefore hope that the returning players can provide the necessary reinforcement as the Premier League champions prepare for a challenging encounter against the resurgent Reds.
Possible Starting Line-Ups:
Liverpool (4-2-3-1):
Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Barcola, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
Arsenal (4-2-3-1):
Raya; Timber, Konsa, Gabriel, Calafiori; Guimaraes, Rice; Madueke, Odegaard, Tzolis; Havertz
By Habeeb Kuranga
