Liverpool take on Arsenal at Anfield in one of the biggest Premier League games of the season so far. The reigning champions head to Merseyside after their Carabao Cup defeat to fourth-tier Fleetwood, aiming to return to the top of the table after leaders Manchester City lost again yesterday. However, Arsenal have not won a league match at this ground since 2012.
Team News and Early Action
Liverpool sit fifth and have won their last five matches across all competitions, including a penalty shootout victory over Chelsea in midweek. Manager Andoni Iraola has handed 19-year-old Trey Nyoni his first Premier League start in midfield. For Arsenal, Mikel Arteta has Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice and Noni Madueke all fit and available, with Christos Tzolis returning straight back in after injury.
Kick-off is at 4.30pm GMT at Anfield, with the match broadcast on Sky Sports. Before the start, there was a period of silence ahead of Remembrance Sunday, with poppy wreaths laid in the centre circle and poppies featured on both sets of shirts.
Early Incidents at Anfield
Within the first three minutes, Nyoni flew into a challenge on Martin Odegaard, earning just a free-kick, though it could have been a booking. Arsenal's Gabriel was unhappy and holding his face after a clash with Isak, complaining to referee Andy Madley. Gary Neville called him "embarrassing" on Sky Sports coverage.
Iraola explained his decision to start Nyoni, saying: "He has shown us he has the level. The thinking is that he is playing very well, we trust him. He has good control on the ball, he understands the game well, without the ball he is smart to deal with all the complications."
Arsenal's Anfield Hoodoo and Saka Update
Standard Sport's Matt Verri noted that Anfield is one of the few grounds Arteta and his players have left to conquer, having not won there in the league since 2012. They have become more competitive in these matches in recent seasons after several years of heavy defeats to Jurgen Klopp's sides.
Arteta also provided an update on Bukayo Saka, who limped out of the Champions League draw with Bayern Munich last month due to a quad injury. "He needed another scan to see how the amount of fluid that was there was resolving, whether the tendon is touched and how badly it is touched," Arteta said on Friday. Asked if Saka would miss England's Nations League games against Croatia and Spain, he replied: "Again, I don't know. It looks like it, but we'll have to wait and see next week."
Madueke's fitness is a relief for Arteta, who was facing a selection crisis on the right wing with Saka sidelined and Max Dowman suspended. Tzolis coming straight back in on the opposite flank after a month out is also hardly a vote of confidence in Eberechi Eze. Arsenal need Kai Havertz to step up in attack this afternoon.
