Liverpool vs Arsenal preview as Liverpool return to Anfield after a dramatic few weeks. Spurs join both of these sides as the only teams with two wins from two, and at least one of those 100% records will end in this game.
Liverpool have started the season with two high-scoring wins coming late in the match. In their opening game at Anfield against Bournemouth, they took an early two-goal lead with Hugo Ekitike getting a goal and an assist in his Premier League debut. Antoine Semenyo led a Bournemouth comeback to 2-2 with big gaps in the defence and midfield being shown up due to Ryan Gravenberch’s suspension but a late Federico Chiesa goal put them ahead, and Mo Salah secured the victory with a fourth for the reigning Champions.
In their second game at St James’ Park, the atmosphere was boiling due to the anger over the Alexander Isak transfer saga. The atmosphere was fiery, and Liverpool struggled to get a grip on the ball. Ryan Gravenberch scored a long-range effort to put Liverpool 1-0 ahead against the run of play. Moments before halftime, Anthony Gordon let the energy of the crowd get to him, and he landed a dangerous challenge on Virgil Van Dijk and saw a red card.
Moments after the halftime break, Hugo Ekitike scored his second of the season and looked to seal the game. Newcastle didn’t give up and made life difficult for Liverpool. Bruno Guimaraes outmuscled Milos Kerkez and brought one goal back before Will Osula made it 2-2 for the second game in a row. Another Arne Slot substitution came to the rescue, and 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha became the youngest Liverpool Premier League goalscorer in the 100th minute to win the game.
Arsenal started the season with a narrow win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. They scored from a set piece through Ricardo Calafiori and survived a barrage of United chances late on to win 1-0. In their second game they took a more dominant position with a 5-0 thrashing of Leeds. The game saw Jurrien Timber score twice and Viktor Gyokeres score twice to pick up his first Premier League goals. The presence of another youngster was felt as 15-year-old Max Dowman won the penalty that Gyokeres put into the back of the net.
Liverpool vs Arsenal Head-to-Head record: Last 10 matches
Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
Arsenal 3-1 Liverpool
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool
Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal
Liverpool three wins
Five draws
Arsenal two wins
Liverpool vs Arsenal matchup statistics
- Arsenal have not won at Anfield since September 2012, which was also in gameweek 3 of the Premier League season.
Liverpool vs Arsenal team statistics
- Liverpool and Arsenal have scored more goals than any other teams in the league, with seven for Liverpool and six for Arsenal.
- Liverpool are the only traditional ‘Big 6’ team to concede more than two goals this season; they have conceded four.
- Liverpool have had 61.5% possession across the two matches this season; only Chelsea have had more.
- Liverpool have taken more shots on target than any other team in the league, with seven per game. Arsenal have managed four per game.
- Liverpool have gone into a 2-0 lead in both matches, with both games coming back to 2-2 before they went on to win.
Liverpool vs Arsenal player statistics
- Jurrien Timber and Viktor Gyokeres both scored two against Leeds, and Arsenal are one of only two teams to have two players score this season. Hugo Ekitike is the only player to reach this total for the Premier League Champions.
- Cody Gakpo and Ricardo Calafiori are two of only five players to have two assists so far this season. Both of Gakpo’s assists have been for Hugo Ekitike.
- Mohamed Salah has created three big chances this season, more than anyone else in the league, but has only created one assist.
- David Raya is one of only two goalkeepers to keep two clean sheets in his opening two games.
