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By HARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTER and OLIVER HOLT, CHIEF SPORTS WRITER and LEWIS STEELE, FOOTBALL REPORTER and ROBERT SUMMERSCALES, SPORTS REPORTER Updated: 03: 01 AEST, 1 September 2025 305 View comments Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield in the Premier League, with Oliver Holt and Lewis Steele reporting from the grounds. Well then, now Mikel Arteta is going for it. He brings on their newest recruit, Eberechi Eze, who adorns the cannon for the very first time. Martin Odegaard also makes his way onto teh pitch with Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino making way. Very attacking changes - this could get tasty. Mohamed Salah is starting to get some joy down the right now. For the third time in the last ten minutes, he gets away, and this time looks to trivela a cross to Hugo Ekitike, but David Raya cuts it out. Moments later, Salah is bearing down on Riccardo Calafiori again, and the Kop rises, but he can't get a shot away. Finally, we have a game. Virgil van Dijk has been in the wars this past week. First Anthony Gordon hacked him down at Newcastle, and now Viktor Gyokeres goes in late on the Liverpool skipper. This time it's just a yellow for Gyokeres, though, and it will stay that way. We have an atmosphere again. Anfiel; d has largely been as quiet as a library this afternoon, but that disallowed goal has woken them up. 'Allez, Allez, Allez' rings around the ground. Cody Gakpo then attempts to give them something to cheer about, but his effort is comfortable for David Raya. This game may have finally come to life, at last. Arsenal seem to have woken up after that scare, and Gabriel hammers one at goal from distance. It bounces off Ibrahima Konate and goes for a corner, but guess what? Yep, it's rubbish. The ball ends up on its way to space as Noni Madueke blazes miles over. Arne Slot has decided to make a switch, but it's not exactly one that will spice things up. Curtis Jopnes is on for Alexis Mac Allister as a straight swap. I thought that he may bring Conor Bradley on and move Dominik Szoboszlai, but hey ho. Ooooooh. .. Hugo Ekitike thinks he has scored his fourth goal in as many games, but his celebrations are cut short. Florian Wirtz finally shows some promise by driving a low strike toward the bottom corner, which David Raya spills to Ekitike. The Frenchman bundles home, but is clearly offside. I feel like banging my head against a wall watching this. Do these players know how to play football anymore? It doesn't look as though they know the premise of the game anymore. Mohamed salah is sent away down the right, looks to cross, but sees that there are no red shirts with him. Whatever the managers said in those dressing rooms, it hasn't worked one bit. This is as every bit boring as it was in the first half - I am actually getting angry at how rubbish it is. Arsenal have another corner. I'm pretty sure all of them have come from Noni Madueke driving at Milos Kerkez, and the Hungarian tackling him. None of teh set-pieces have worked as of yet, but here is another chance for them to silence Anfield. Nope, not taken. .. My word, this is a shocking game. What is Ryan Gravenberch thinking there? He finds himself in some rare space 30 yards out and has Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike making runs around him. Does he pass to them? Nope. Instead, he goes for glory because he scored a banger last week, and it's a terrible effort. Lewis Steele tweeted that Viktor Gyokeres looks like he runs in flip-flops, and now I can't unsee it. He races down the left before being tackled by Ibrahima Konate, but all I can think of are flip-flops. Thanks for that, Lewis. Arsenal are just not allowing Liverpool to make any risky passes, they are blocking all the gaps at the back. Florian Wirtz does find one as I'm typing, but his pass to Alexis Mac Allister is overhit, and it brings groans from the Kop. Yep, same old. Do we have to watch more of this game? Sadly, we do. Both teams are back out at Anfield, and I am begging that we are entertained a little more. They both have to just have a go. Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender, on Sky Sports: Me too, Gabriel. .. me too. This picture sums up the first half, really poor. I think I have pulled worse expressions than this, but it's the best picture I could find. Liverpool didn't get going, Arsenal haven't taken too many risks, and I have had to fight off the urge to snooze. It's been tough, real tough. Thank goodness that is over. Bar a couple of moments from Noni Madueke, this game has offered nothing to get you off your seat. I have just told my colleague that this is one of the worst matches I have watched in a while, and I mean it. Are these meant to be the best two teams in the league? Liverpool finally move forward and. .. nothing. There will be one minute of stoppage time which tells you all you need to know about this drab game. Genuinely, I'm not sure what I can write about that is interesting here. Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike have just been fouled in quick succession, but nothing else is happening. This is a tough watch. It may not be entertaining, but Arsenal are clearly in control of this game. Riccardo Calafiori wins yet another corner, and for the first time it's a decent one from Declan Rice. Calafiori is the man who gets on the end of it, but his header is tame and rolls wide. Sums up this game. My word, this is a boring watch. Any atmosphere that we had at the start of this game has been drained by what we are being given on the pitch. I think I would rather watch paint dry for the next 50 minutes than this game. If anybody is going to open teh scoring here, it's Noni Madueke. He is causing Milos Kerkez so many problems, and once again he races down teh right before cutting inside. He pulls the trigger, but Kerkez just gets his boot to it to send it over teh bar. Another corner. .. and it's wasted. Erm. .. what has just happened? Just as I say Liverpool have done nothing, David Raya decides to give them an opportunity on a plate, and gift-wrapped. Vigil van Dijk should shoot himself as he strides onto teh ball, but he gives it to Alexis Mac Allister, and by then the moment has gone. Crazy few moments. I mean, we bigged this up as a cracker and it's been an absolutely rubbish match, thus far. Low on quality and neither side really going for it. Mikel Arteta will certainly be happier, mind. Liverpool are barely causing his side any problems. A real tame game. We have our first yellow card of the game and it is awarded to Ryan Gravenberch for hacking down Riccardo Calfiori. Worry spreads around Anfield as they see Declan Rice standing over the resulting free-kick. But that worry turns to cheers as he blazes it miles into the Kop. I'm not sure what Liverpool's tactics are here. They keep trying to ping long balls for Hugo Ekitike to chase, and not a single one of them has worked out. They need to change something because they are getting absolutely no joy going forward. Really poort first 28 minutes. Cody Gakpo is the only forward doing anything for Liverpool. He does well to hold off Jurrien Timber, who is doing everything he can to win the ball off of his fellow countryman. Gakpo wins a free-kick and then Florian Wirtz hits one miles over everybody and for a goal kick. Sums up his performance, really. It certainly is better! Declan Rice's set-piece goes through all the bodies and reaches Noni Madueke on the edge of the area. The winger has a dig and Alisson has to push the ball away from goal at full stretch. Arsenal are slowly starting to get on top. 20 minutes in and the Diogo Jota song rings around Anfield. It's then briefly halted as the Kop applauses Milos Kerkez as he does really well to thwart Noni Madueke down teh right. The Arsenal winger is starting to get some joy, and Arsenal have another corner. I imagine this one will be better. Once again, Florian Wirtz is struggling to have an impact on this game. He's had the ball a few times, but his passes have either been safe or he has lost it. I don't think we are going to see the best of this lad for a while. Well, we are certainly not seeing it today. To be fair to Wirtz, all the attackers are struggling. Well, that was anti-climactic. Declan Rice's delivery goes over everybody, and the ball ends up all the way back in Arsenal's half. I did all that build-up to a corner, which I never do, for it to be a pants one. Never again. Arsenal have a corner. .. Noni Madueke has Milos Kerkez backpedalling and the Liverpool full-back acan only put it behind for a set-piece. I wouldn't be surprised if the next post was about an Arsenal goal. Ooooft. .. Noni Madueke, you are a lucky boy. The winger plays an incredibly daft back pass 30 yards from his own goal, and Hugo Ekitike looks to capitalise. But David Raya gets to the ball first to bail his team-mate out. We have our first chance of the game. Cody Gakpo wants to show why Liverpool gave him a new deal in the week, and he charges toward the penalty area from the left. He has options, but decides to go alone and fires just wide of the post. Decent effort, but David Raya never looked worried. Ibrahima Konate wins his first battle with Viktor Gyokeres. The centre-back has had a horrid start to the season, but that is more like him as he shrugs Gyokeres away from the ball and calmly strokes it back to Alisson. Can he keep that level of concentration up all game, though? Liverpool have barely touched the ball since William Saliba hobbled off, and Anfield has gone silent. Arsenal are just knocking it about and the hosts can't get near them. Just as I say that, Liverpool wins the ball and Florian Wirtz is away on the counter, but it comes to nothing. Arsenal then charge the other way, but the chance goes begging. And just like that, this place comes alive again. Mikel Arteta has his arms folded; he is not happy that William Saliba has picked up a knock. The French defender hobbles off and looks absolutely gutted. I still don't actually know what happened, mind. Summer signing Christhian Mosquera is on. Oh dear. .. William Saliba has just fallen to the ground with nobody around him and looks straight to the bench. Christian Mosquera is already stripped off and it looks like Saliba's afternoon is done already. A huge blow. This really is some atmosphere. The Liverpool fans are currently singing a song that describes them as better fans than the Gunners' faithful. Meanwhile, Arsenal fans are chanting about Mikel Merino, who scored and then got sent off last season. A lively start from the crowd, which is what you want to hear. You'll Never Walk Alone is belted out as beautifully as ever, then Declan Rice gets this game underway. I am shaking with excitement here. I am just expecting a cracker of a match. Don't let me down, lads. Anfield is generating quite the noise. They belt out 'champions' over, and over, and over again, to remind Arsenal of who they are facing as the teams come out. After Manchester City's second defeat in as many games, you feel now that these teams will be the two tussling for the title. If Arsenal can win here for the first time in 14 years, it will be a real statement. They have started quickly here in recent years. .. but can they get that goal early doors? If they do, Liverpool will need this crowd to help them. Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender, on Sky Sports: Thanks, Rob! I have been waiting all day to get my mitts on this blog. Don't get me wrong, covering that Manchester City meltdown was quite the spectacle, but this is the big one. The teams are in the dressing room as I type this post, probably being told to go and get three points in different ways. I don't think either will, I predict a draw - an entertaining one. Will it be a close game, as Slot predicts? Or will one of these sides claim top spot in style with a dominant win? Whatever the case, HARRY BAMFORTH will guide you through the rest of the afternoon's action. Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaking to Sky Sports: Chris Kavanagh has the whistle this afternoon. The Gunners are unbeaten in their last 11 matches under his watch, a run stretching back to 2021. Liverpool, meanwhile, were beaten 3-2 at Fulham the last time he officiated them in the league. He has already awarded three penalties in domestic matches this season, including one against Liverpool at Wembley. With two attack-minded teams on show, the man in the middle may have a busy afternoon. It is foolish to under-estimate Mikel Merino but it is hard not to feel that Mikel Arteta has been conservative in his team selection this afternoon. I'd have preferred Eze over Martinelli and Nwaneri over Merino. It looks like Arteta's come for a point. By Robert Summerscales Good news for Liverpool and Arsenal fans before their game kicks off. Title rivals Manchester City have just been beaten for the second week running. Pep Guardiola's side led 1-0 at half-time thanks to a goal from Erling Haaland. But the Seagulls soared back with strikes from former Liverpool star James Milner and sub Brajan Gruda. Milner marked his goal, which came from a penalty, by imitating Diogo Jota's old celebration. There’s extra incentive for Liverpool’s forwards this afternoon. If they find the net, it will be the 37th consecutive league game in which the champions have scored — a new club record. Their current streak of 36 matches equals the run set between March 2019 and February 2020 under Jurgen Klopp. Arne Slot has continued that tradition of attacking football, with his side managing to score in 39 of his 40 Premier League games in charge so far — a remarkable 98 per cent strike rate. If history is any guide, we should be in for fireworks. Since the 2015-16 season no Premier League fixture has produced more goals than Liverpool v Arsenal — 78 in 20 games, nearly four per match. Both sides have already shown attacking firepower this season, with Arsenal scoring six without reply and Liverpool hitting seven but looking shaky at the back. Add in two new strikers desperate to make a mark, and all the ingredients are there for another Anfield classic. This is the 245th competitive meeting between these two giants of English football. Liverpool hold the edge historically with 95 wins to Arsenal’s 83, while 66 clashes have ended level. More recently, though, Mikel Arteta has enjoyed the upper hand. The Gunners are unbeaten in their last six league games against Liverpool, including three straight draws here at Anfield. That run has given Arsenal confidence, but they know full well their last actual victory in this stadium was all the way back in 2012. What a contrast to when these sides met here in May, when neither started with a recognised centre forward. This afternoon both arrive with big-money new No 9s leading the line. Hugo Ekitike has scored in each of his first three Liverpool appearances, while Viktor Gyokeres grabbed a brace last week for Arsenal. Both men were signed to turn fine margins into victories. It will be fascinating to see which one handles the occasion better — the Frenchman thriving on the Kop’s energy or the Swede silencing it. A strong XI for Liverpool today with Dominik Szoboszlai staying on at right back after a decent performance there on Monday night at Newcastle. But the big boost for Arne Slot is that Alexis Mac Allister is back after missing the trip to the north east through injury The Argentine is crucial to Liverpool’s midfield, which was dominated in the second half at St James’ Park. It was a wet and windy Anfield half an hour ago, when I was walking in and getting soaked through. Bad timing, as always. It's bathed in sunshine now, the television screens are showing the players walking to the changing rooms and the anticipation is building. By Robert Summerscales Arne Slot makes two changes from the side that dramatically beat Newcastle on Monday. Alexis Mac Allister returns to the starting XI after injury, while Ryan Gravenberch is also restored. Jeremie Frimpong misses out with a hamstring issue. For Arsenal, Mikel Arteta is without Bukayo Saka after the winger sustained a hamstring problem last week. Kai Havertz (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (ACL) are also unavailable, but Martin Pdegaard is deemed fit enough for the bench after a shoulder scare. Summer signing Eberechi Eze (pictured) is among the substitutes and could make his debut. That means Noni Madueke starts on the right in place of Saka, with Viktor Gyokeres leading the line and Gabriel Martinelli wide left. Jurrien Timber slots in at right-back, Riccardo Calafiori makes his first Anfield start on the opposite flank, and new midfield recruit Martín Zubimendi partners Declan Rice and Mikel Merino. By Robert Summerscales Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli. Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Odegaard, Eze, Trossard, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Harriman-Annous. By Robert Summerscales Alisson; Szoboszlai, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike. Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Bradley, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Robertson, Ngumoha. Welcome to a wet and windy Anfield, where we have our first meeting of two title favourites. Both games between this pair finished 2-2 last season — but a win for either side here would be a huge statement even as early as week three in the season. Although, saying that, my prediction is another draw. By Robert Summerscales Liverpool’s 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha became the club’s youngest Premier League scorer with his dramatic late winner at Newcastle on Monday. Arsenal, meanwhile, handed 15-year-old Max Dowman his debut against Leeds. Two teenagers born after 2008 could feature at Anfield today. It's enough to make you feel VERY old! By Robert Summerscales Gabriel Martinelli also thrives in this fixture. The Brazilian has been involved in eight goals in just 10 appearances against Liverpool (six goals, two assists), including four in five trips to Anfield. By Robert Summerscales Mohamed Salah loves facing Arsenal. He’s scored 11 Premier League goals against the Gunners. Only Harry Kane (14) and Wayne Rooney (12) have netted more against them. By Robert Summerscales Arsenal have not won a league game at Anfield since September 2012, when Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla struck in a 2-0 win. Mikel Arteta was patrolling midfield that day — he’ll be in the dugout this afternoon trying to end a run of 12 visits without victory. By Robert Summerscales Good afternoon! It might only be matchday three, but this feels like a heavyweight title fight. Liverpool are defending champions, Arsenal the challengers desperate to go one better this season — and both arrive at Anfield with perfect records intact. Something has to give. That Wirtz is looking utter dross

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