Game Week 3 Predictions: Liverpool and Arsenal to settle for a draw at Anfield

Liverpool host Arsenal in a top-of-the-table clash at Anfield, with both sides eyeing first place in a thrilling Premier League showdown.

It's a game to watch at Anfield. Whose invincibility will remain intact after this game between Liverpool and Arsenal? (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Liverpool vs Arsenal

Anfield Stadium

4:30pm

It’s arguably the game of the weekend across Europe, with champions Liverpool hosting three-time runners-up Arsenal; it’s the mother of all fixtures this weekend.

A lot has changed at Arsenal. Not too long ago, a fixture like this had a known outcome; you just didn’t know by how many goals, but you could predict a Liverpool win without being wrong. Now it’s tough to say where this one will swing despite Liverpool playing at home.

The champions have had a weird defence this season, conceding four goals in two games and losing two-goal leads in both games, although they came back to win in both games, which is a hallmark of a team that wants to win the title.

Arsenal are yet to be swashbuckling, but a win at Old Trafford and a 5-0 annihilation of Leeds United at the Emirates last weekend show why they should be taken seriously. To play badly and still win is also a hallmark of a good side; Arsenal isn’t a pushover anymore.

This is a game that means a lot to both sides; whoever wins this one goes on top of the Premier League log, while a score draw could still earn Arsenal the top spot after Chelsea beat Fulham 2-0 on Saturday and Spurs lost their invincibility at home to Bournemouth.

Mikel Arteta and Arne Slot have earned their stripes, with the latter even more respected for tinkering his way to the title last season without significant additions, but he has signed top players this summer and could still add Alexander Isak and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi to the squad.

Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres has got off the mark, the same with Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool, and eyes will be on both of them. Florian Wirtz and Eberechi Eze are expected to be on the pitch at the same time today; they will also be under the spotlight.

How will they line up? With Jeremy Frimpong out injured, Liverpool is expected to field Connor Bradley, who has regained fitness, as opposed to Dominik Szoboszlai, who played right back against Newcastle, while Milos Kerkez is expected to retain his spot despite his struggles at left back.

Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka, who limped off against Leeds, but Martin Odegaard is in the squad to face Liverpool. Eze is expected to fill in at some points, but the real talking points will be in the battle between Ekitike and Gyokeres.

How will it play out in the middle of the park? Alexis Mac Allister is back and available for selection; the Argentine will team up with Ryan Gravenberch as they face the duo of Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice. This one will be exciting to watch.

Verdict: Both teams to score.