HONG KONG, CHINA - JULY 21: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Andy Robertson and Florian Wirtz take part in a team walk on July 21, 2025 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool players Andy Robertson and Florian Wirtz take part in a team walk in Hong Kong during pre-season
The big matches just keep coming for Liverpool. Fresh from winning a powder-keg clash at Newcastle United, whose players and supporters were fired up by the ongoing Alexander Isak transfer saga, next up for the Reds is the visit of Arsenal to Anfield today (Sunday).
Liverpool left the Gunners trailing in their wake last season, finishing 10 points clear of their nearest rivals to seal the club's first Premier League title triumph in front of supporters.
That would have stung Arsenal, who have now finished second for three consecutive campaigns. But after a summer of heavy spending, Mikel Arteta's men are intent on going one better this season and have started in winning fashion, following their fortuitous 1-0 victory at Manchester United with a 5-0 thumping of Leeds United at the Emirates.
The champions have made the perfect start, too, winning a six-goal thriller at home to Bournemouth 4-2 before snatching that dramatic 3-2 success over Newcastle thanks to 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha's injury-time strike.
Will that late, late intervention be enough to convince Reds boss Arne Slot to hand Ngumoha a start against an Arsenal side who have real injury problems? And do Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley come straight back in after returning to training?
Our writers have their say...
Paul Gorst
There are a number selection issues for Arne Slot to tackle this afternoon, with the first one being at right-back. Dominik Szoboszlai was outstanding at Newcastle United on Monday night, but having come through another week of training, might this be the day for Conor Bradley to return?
On the opposite flank, there have been some calls to restore the club's new vice captain Andy Robertson for Milos Kerkez, with the Scotland skipper's experience and know-how during these massive games cited as a reason for dropping the young Hungarian to the bench. There is little doubt that Kerkez is the future on Liverpool's left side but this is one for Robertson in my playbook.
How fit is Alexis Mac Allister? Slot said he was hoping to have the World Cup winner back when he was asked about it after the game on Monday and he was vaguely positive in his Friday morning press conference too.
And what about Florian Wirtz? Might Slot go for the surety of Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch for such a pivotal fixture? Or could this be the game where the gifted German lights the blue touch paper on his Anfield career?
As ever, it's decisions, decisions for Slot.
My team: (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Follow transfer deadline day live with the ECHO
Transfer deadline day is almost upon us and Liverpool still have business to do. It's already been a busy summer for the Premier League champions but they could still pull off a couple of blockbuster signings as the window comes to a close.
Alexander Isak's future remains unresolved, with the striker refusing to play or train for Newcastle United. Liverpool remain interested in a deal for the Swede.
Meanwhile, Marc Guehi has been a player of interest all summer and Liverpool could still launch a last-minute deal for the Crystal Palace defender.
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Ian Doyle
Liverpool v Arsenal, a real heavyweight clash between two of the Continent's greatest teams. Between them they have won six European Cups.
What, though, is Arne Slot to do with his team selection at Anfield?
There should be some changes. Conor Bradley has had another week training and should come in at right-back, and I'd bring Andy Robertson in for this one at left-back.
Alisson Becker is in goal, but Ibrahima Konate is fortunate Joe Gomez isn't fit enough to start at centre-back given his recent poor form and continues alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk.
In midfield, a real tough call. But if Alexis Mac Allister isn't quite ready, I'd have Dominik Szoboszlai alongside Ryan Gravenberch at the base of the engine room with Florian Wirtz the number 10.
Up top, Hugo Ekitike leads the line with Mohamed Salah on the right and Cody Gakpo the left.