What could have been a title decider is pretty much a dead rubber as Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.
With the Reds having wrapped up the title a few weeks ago, you would be forgiven for thinking there is little riding on this match. However, the Gunners’ fortunes have slipped of late and they have only won one of their last five Premier League games.
This has let the chasing pack in and now their second-place finish is under threat. Manchester City are just three points behind while their top five chances are also in peril. Sixth-placed Nottingham Forest have just six points fewer than Arsenal so the Gunners will want to get a result here to cement their place in Europe next season.
LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL PREVIEW
Adding greater imperative is Arsenal crashing out of the Champions League in midweek. A 3-1 aggregate defeat to PSG at the semi-final stage means that the Gunners can now only qualify for Europe next season through their league position.
Liverpool won’t make it easy, having been the dominant team in the top flight this season. They have slipped slightly from their previous high standards though. They have lost two of their last five Premier League games, with Chelsea defeating them 3-1 last time out. They did field a weakened side though.
The reverse fixture this season at the Emirates saw the teams share the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the ninth minute, but Virgil van Dijk equalised nine minutes later. Mikel Merino restored Arsenal’s lead just before half-time, but Mohamed Salah struck nine minutes from time.
Last season’s fixture at Anfield was also a draw. Gabriel scored in the fourth minute for Arsenal but Salah equalised in the 29th minute.
Trent Alexander-Arnold should be on the bench for Liverpool, with Conor Bradley featuring at right-back. Joe Gomez is still out with a hamstring injury. Tyler Morton misses the game with a shoulder issue.
Riccardo Calafiori and Jorginho were in the squad against PSG and could feature for Arsenal. Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard have recovered from knocks picked up in Arsenal’s recent Premier League defeat to Bournemouth.
Gabriel Jesus (knee), Gabriel Magalhaes (hamstring), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kai Havertz (hamstring) are all still out. The former three won’t return this season, but Havertz could.
LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL – PREDICTIONS
Liverpool Win
Seven wins in a row and home advantage suggest that the Reds are in pole position to defeat Arsenal here. The Gunners have not won at Anfield for 13 years.
Draw
If any side has matched Liverpool this season, then it is Arsenal. They have been their only real rivals this campaign and their 2-2 stalemate at the Emirates highlights how equal they are. Last season’s game at Anfield ended in a 1-1 draw too.
Arsenal Win
The Gunners need the points to secure a Champions League spot, their recent poor form threatening their place in the top five. They should still finish in the Champions League places – they are six points ahead with just three games to go – but could make it almost certain here. How they bounce back from their Paris pain will be key.
PREMIER LEAGUE – TOP SCORER
| # | Player | Team | Goals | Assists | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Mohamed Salah |
Liverpool FC | 28 | 17 | 36 |
| 2 |
Alexander Isak |
Newcastle United FC | 23 | 6 | 33 |
| 3 |
Erling Haaland |
Manchester City FC | 21 | 3 | 30 |
| 4 |
Chris Wood |
Nottingham Forest FC | 20 | 3 | 34 |
| 5 |
Bryan Mbeumo |
Brentford FC | 18 | 8 | 36 |
LIVERPOOL VS ARSENAL – BETTING TIPS
Liverpool Win
Despite having nothing to play for, the Reds have home advantage. They will want to make a statement against their nearest rivals. They are looking for their eighth straight home win and will be more refreshed than the Gunners as they did not play in midweek.
Arsenal have a habit of letting leads slip. Their 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth last time out was the 10th time they had failed to win a Premier League game despite taking the lead. With the Reds having scored at least two goals in all but one of their last 15 Premier League matches at Anfield, don’t expect Arsenal to keep a clean sheet.
Both Teams to Score
Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to PSG in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final was the only time they had failed to score since late February. Conversely, the Reds have a strong scoring record at home in the Premier League. BTTS was the result at the Emirates earlier this season and in the corresponding game at Anfield last season too.
HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
- Liverpool and Arsenal have played each other 243 times, with the Reds winning 95. The Gunners have won 83, while there have been 65 draws.
- Liverpool have only won once in the last six meetings between the two sides in all competitions. They have not won any of their last five Premier League clashes.
- However, Arsenal have not won at Anfield in the Premier League since 2012.
- Liverpool are looking to secure their eighth successive home win.
- Liverpool have scored at least two goals in 14 of their last 15 Premier League matches at Anfield.
- Arsenal have lost three in a row in all competitions. They have only won once in their last five Premier League games (D3 L1).
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-05-2025 |
Liverpool FC |
2 - 2 |
Arsenal FC |
| 27-10-2024 |
Arsenal FC |
2 - 2 |
Liverpool FC |
| 04-02-2024 |
Arsenal FC |
3 - 1 |
Liverpool FC |
