Liverpool vs Arsenal predictions as both clubs backed to deliver statement win

Liverpool will host Arsenal on Sunday as two of this season's Premier League title protagonists meet for the first time at Anfield - with the Gunners aiming to put down a marker.

Both teams have won their opening two games, but at least one of those 100 percent records will end this weekend. Arsenal saw the Reds claim the title last term as they were forced to settle for a second for the third straight season.

Sunday's clash could mark Eberechi Eze's debut after the winger completed his move from Crystal Palace last Saturday. The England star is tipped to be a difference maker for the north Londoners and is likely to feature in some capacity at Liverpool .

Mikel Arteta 's side have been held on Merseyside in each of the last three years but a win would be a statement, even at this early stage of the season. It has been almost a year since Liverpool were beaten in the league at Anfield.

The Reds have secured two late wins to begin their season, scoring seven times, but conceding on four, as issues are raised with their new look defensive line. Viktor Gyokeres meanwhile has just got off the mark with a brace in the win over Leeds, but will be under pressure to make a difference against one of the league's heavyweights.

Mirror Football's writers have given their take on the mouthwatering clash on Sunday which will be a stern test of both teams credentials at this early point of the year.

Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal

If we've learnt anything from Liverpool in the past few weeks it is that they know how to score goals. Hardly surprising with that firepower. They also find it hard to keep them out at present having conceded twice in successive games. So far their goalscoring has been able to bail them out.

This weekend though they face one of Europe's best defences and arguably its best centre-half pairing. As a result they may not be able to score their way out of the defensive conundrum they find themselves in.

Arsenal began clicking into gear last weekend and the introduction of Eze, who has scored the winning goal at Anfield in the past, could provide the sparkle Arteta's side need.

Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal

Why spend the last weekend before kids go back to school creosoting the fence when you can sit on it? For Arsenal to make the step up from perennial bridesmaids to champions, they will need to win at places like Anfield and the Etihad - but as Gunners manager, Arteta has not absconded with the loot from either.

Liverpool have conceded six goals in three games, which suggests they can be 'got at' defensively if opponents are bold enough to attack them.

But closing down spaces and relying on set pieces alone will not be enough for Arteta to take all the spoils here, although his £200million retail therapy on summer upgrades should be worth a point.

Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal

Liverpool are still the team to beat in this season’s title race. Arsenal have strengthened, Eze may just have pushed their window from being decent into really impressive - and yet Liverpool will take some stopping.

The Achilles heel for Arne Slot appears to be the defence - and most notably Ibrahima Konate who looks like his mind is already in Madrid - and that may give the challengers some hope.

But if they get Alexander Isak on top of the business done already, everyone else might just as well pack up and go home. What has truly impressed me about Liverpool is, amid the understandable emotion of Diogo Jota, they have shown an incredible mental strength to dig out to two remarkable late wins. Bournemouth and then Newcastle shows this squad’s unbreakable spirit.

Arsenal will challenge again but injuries are already an issue. When will we sit up and say: what’s going on here? How can Bukayo Saka get a hamstring two games into the season?

Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal

Liverpool appear incapable of keeping a clean sheet right now, with Milos Kerkez and Konate liabilities, so I expect Arsenal to breach their shaky defences. But with no Bukayo Saka or Kai Havertz - and potentially Martin Odegaard - their attack is obviously weakened and Liverpool have found a way to win their opening two Premier League games. It's hard to call.

Both league fixtures between these two ended 2-2 last season and Arteta's side are yet to show a killer instinct in the big moments. If Liverpool take the lead then their imposing record at Anfield could come to the fore.

After Slot moaned about the Newcastle game not resembling football, I am hoping for an open end-to-end goalfest. I'll go for a draw because I don't know if Arsenal have really turned the corner yet.

Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal

This feels like something of a phoney war this early in the season, but if either side can make it nine points from nine going into the international break then their confidence will be through the roof.

Liverpool have shown pretty much everything there is to know about them in their opening two matches - excellent football, slack defending and an unparalleled resilience that has produced late, late winners.

It is difficult to see the Reds keeping a clean sheet given Arsenal's obvious set-piece prowess, but you'd think the Gunners will need more than that if they to get a win that would serve as a huge statement.

Without Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz they will be lacking in creativity, and Virgil van Dijk has come up against plenty of forwards like Viktor Gyokeres before. If he can win that battle, the hosts should just about do enough.

Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal

Liverpool have simply found a way to win so far this season and will hope to make a statement in their title defence against Arsenal at Anfield this weekend. But it's impossible not to see the areas Arsenal could take advantage of with the space available behind the Reds' backline. The Gunners will also be licking their lips after Newcastle found success from set-pieces at St James' Park.

Arne Slot's side have so much attacking talent that they are unlikely to go goalless and with Bukayo Saka injured, Arsenal's new-found depth will be quickly tested.

It could be a day for Viktor Gyokeres to break out however, and while an away feels like a bold prediction, Mikel Arteta's team could really give themselves a platform for a strong season.

Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal

Even though Liverpool's start to the season has shown they have some defensive weaknesses, Arne Slot's side are still the team to beat. The reigning champions are extremely dangerous going forward, with Hugo Ekitike in particular making an excellent start to life in the Premier League.

Arsenal have also spent big in the transfer market and their squad looks much stronger this season as a result. However, the loss of Bukayo Saka for this game is a huge blow and the character Liverpool showed to secure dramatic late wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle means I think the Reds will pick up all three points at Anfield.

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