Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC head into a vital clash on Sunday that can mark an early advantage for either team in the 2025-26 title race, even though it is just three matches into the 38-match schedule.
Why It Matters
The two teams competed fiercely for most of the previous season to claim the English Premier League title after reigning champions Manchester City FC stumbled with what turned into manager Pep Guardiola’s worst run of results of his career, including the first run of three or more consecutive defeats for the club since he took over, and only one win in nine matches in November and December 2024.
Liverpool ultimately prevailed, securing their second Premier League title and 20th overall top-flight title, putting them level with rivals Manchester United for all-time titles.
Arsenal had failed for the third consecutive season to secure a title despite proving the closest competitor each time.
The new season has also proven an emotional one after Liverpool lost Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash with his brother while driving through Spain during the summer. The outpouring of support has not dulled the loss, and Liverpool’s star player, Egyptian winger Mohamed Salah, closed out the first match of the season applauding fans as they chanted Jota’s song after full time.
Mohamed Salah was the last player to leave the pitch, joining in with a tearful rendition of Diogo Jota’s chant in front of the Kop ❤️ pic.twitter.com/c5Vj4Rfr8C
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 15, 2025
What To Know
The clubs face off at Anfield, Liverpool’s home field, which normally would hand the northern English club an advantage in the fixture, but question marks remain about Liverpool’s form despite two wins to kick off the season.
Liverpool lost local boy and star fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, taking around $11.3 million dollars from Real Madrid in order for Alexander-Arnold to leave the club early and play in the Club World Cup, otherwise he would have joined on a free and earned the club no money.
Liverpool also sold Colombian leftwinger Luis Díaz to Germany’s Bayern Munich and controversial record signing Uruguayan striker Darwin Núñez to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal.
The club sold other squad and rotation players, with a total of nine such players leaving the club while bringing in seven new players, including club record signing German midfielder Florian Wirtz and French striker Hugo Ekitike while missing out on their prime target, Swedish striker Alexander Isak, who currently plays for Newcastle United.
That level of turnover has led to questions about squad harmony, which appeared to be exaggerated after the club managed to go in 2-1 at the half against Crystal Palace FC during the pre-season Community Shield match. Ultimately, Liverpool failed to score in the second half and Crystal Palace equalized, taking the match to penalties and winning.
Peter Powell/AFP // Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
That same pattern repeated itself in the first two matches of the season as Liverpool initially threw away a 2-0 lead against Bournemouth FC, but ultimately prevailed 4-2, and again wasted a 2-0 lead against 10-man Newcastle before Ekitike scored the club’s latest-ever winning goal to seal the second victory.
Meanwhile, Arsenal bolstered its squad by signing goalscoring phenomenon Viktor Gyökeres of Sweden, who scored an unbelievable 68 goals in 66 matches across two seasons in the Portuguese league—and 97 goals in 102 matches across all competitions in that time.
The club also brought in Spanish defensive midfielder Martín Zubimendi, whom Liverpool tried and failed to sign in the summer 2024 transfer window, as well as English forward Noni Madueke and Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, both from league rivals Chelsea FC, and English forward Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. Arsenal sold only two players while bringing in seven, which many have seen a significantly strengthening an already formidable squad.
And those transfers have only added to what has been a strong start for the north London club, as Arsenal beat Manchester United on the opening day away at Old Trafford 1-0, and then brushed aside newly promoted Leeds United at home 5-0.
Arsenal recorded the best defensive record in the league last season, conceding just 34 goals—seven fewer than Liverpool did—but struggled to score, notching 69 goals while Liverpool put away 86, Man City—who finished third—put away 72, and Newcastle—who finished fifth—put away 68.
