Liverpool are set to host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday in a Matchday 9 Premier League clash that pits two of England's most storied clubs against each other at contrasting moments in their seasons.

Liverpool's resurgence under Iraola

The Reds endured a difficult opening to the 2026/27 campaign, drawing three of their first five league matches. Since then, however, Andoni Iraola's side have been transformed, winning seven of their last eight fixtures across all competitions. The one blemish in that run was a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City.

Last weekend, Liverpool dispatched Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 with an own goal from Pascal Gross and a strike from Alexander Isak doing the damage. Iraola's men then edged past Chelsea 6-5 on penalties in the Carabao Cup following a 1-1 draw, booking a quarter-final berth in midweek.

Arsenal's cup humiliation adds pressure

Arsenal arrive as defending Premier League champions, having ended a 22-year wait for the title last season. Mikel Arteta's side made an electric start to their title defence, winning each of their opening six league matches, before a 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion disrupted their rhythm ahead of the international break.

The Gunners bounced back with a 2-1 home win over Leeds United and maintained solid form across the following weeks — but midweek brought fresh embarrassment. Arsenal lost 5-3 on penalties to League Two side Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup after a 1-1 draw, becoming the first reigning Premier League champions to be eliminated by a fourth-tier club in that competition.

The Anfield hoodoo

In 238 meetings across all competitions, Liverpool hold the upper hand with 90 wins to Arsenal's 81, and 67 draws. The Gunners have gone four matches without a victory against the Reds, drawing three and losing one — that defeat coming when Dominik Szoboszlai's free-kick settled a 1-0 contest last season.

Arsenal's Premier League drought at Anfield stretches back to the 2012/13 season, when Arsene Wenger's side claimed a 2-0 win thanks to goals from Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla. Arteta will be acutely aware that his squad must finally exorcise that long-standing hoodoo if they are to mount a credible title defence.

Players to watch

Alexander Isak has been Liverpool's sharpest weapon this term, netting six goals and registering one assist since joining for a British record fee last season. The Sweden international's mobility and close control make him a constant threat for any backline. Cody Gakpo has also been central to Liverpool's revival, contributing three goals and five assists as one of Iraola's most trusted attackers.

For Arsenal, Riccardo Calafiori has been far more than a defender, chipping in with two goals and two assists while helping the Gunners keep seven clean sheets. Declan Rice, named Arsenal's Player of the Season last campaign, has again set the midfield tempo — scoring once and laying on four assists across all competitions.

Team news

Liverpool could welcome back Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz, both of whom Iraola confirmed are in contention to return. Despite that positive news, both are likely to start on the bench, with Bradley Barcola and Ryan Gravenberch expected to fill their roles. Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, Hugo Ekitike, and Jeremie Frimpong all remain sidelined.

Arsenal have received a quadruple fitness boost, with Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, Riccardo Calafiori, and Christian Tzolis all back in training after missing the Carabao Cup defeat. Tzolis could potentially start in place of Eberechi Eze. However, Bukayo Saka faces further medical assessment after picking up a quadriceps injury against Bayern Munich, while William Saliba is expected to miss the trip after aggravating a back problem at the World Cup.