16:30 Sunday

Liverpool vs Arsenal headlines this weekend’s Premier League action, as the champions welcome last season’s runners-up to Anfield in an early title six-pointer.

Reigning champions Liverpool have looked ruthless in attack but fragile at the back under Arne Slot, while Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal boast the league’s meanest defence having kept back-to-back clean sheets, yet travel north without key stars Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard.

The Gunners may be unbeaten in their last six league games against Liverpool, yet their 13-year wait for a top-flight victory at Anfield tells its own story.

This early-season blockbuster already has the feel of a decisive moment in the title race.

Liverpool vs Arsenal Bet Builder Tips

Our bet builder tips for Liverpool vs Arsenal features Dominik Szoboszlai Over 2.5 Fouls, Jurrien Timber Over 1.5 Fouls & Liverpool to Win.

At the time of publishing it is a best price of 22/1 with Sky Bet.

Dominik Szoboszlai 3+ Fouls

Szoboszlai is not shy to commit a foul in Arne Slot's high-pressing system and is key to breaking up play - he often finds himself doing the dirty work in midfield.

Interestingly, Slot moved him into right back to cover for the injured Jeramie Frimpong against Newcastle. He had a very solid game and might find himself starting in the same position up against Arsenal.

He committed two fouls that game up against Harvey Barnes.

I expect Arsenal will highlight the left as an opportunity for chances with an out-of-position Szoboslai and Konate, who has been defensively shaky so far this season.

With either Madueke or Martinelli expected to start, Szoboszlai will have his hands full and could easily commit 3+ fouls like he did when these two sides met in November last year.

Jurrien Timber 2+ Fouls

This game is historically a high fouling game, there have been 23, 28, 22, 27, 27 fouls committed in the last five meetings between these two sides, so I will continue to look for betting opportunities there.

Jurrien Timber committed two fouls against Man United in just a short 20 minute cameo on the opening day of the season and though he didn't foul against Leeds, that can be accounted for by Arsenal's dominance in that game.

He faces Cody Gakpo, who has drawn seven fouls in two games already and has proven to be a tricky customer cutting in onto that deadly right foot of his.

Gakpo has been a key attacking outlet for Slot this season, attempting a huge 13 take-ons already, so he should keep Timber busy.

Timber averaged the third most fouls in the Arsenal squad last season too (1.11 per game) so this is definitely a match-up to look out for.

Liverpool to Win

It might be bold to pick a winner in a fixture that has only seen a side come out on top once in the last five league meetings, but I fancy Liverpool to break that trend here today.

If there’s one ground that continues to haunt Arsenal, it’s Anfield. The Gunners haven’t won there in almost 13 years, and with the Kop in full voice, Liverpool will once again have that priceless 12th man driving them on.

Much has been made of Liverpool’s shaky start, but I’d put a line through that scrappy showing at Newcastle. As Arne Slot admitted afterwards, “It didn’t have a lot to do with tactics”. It was simply a tough environment against a fired-up side with a point to prove and a crowd right on top of them.

What mattered most was how Liverpool responded, and they showed real champion’s mentality by finding a way to win when the game looked to be slipping away. 

Arsenal head into this one with fitness concerns over two of their biggest stars, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, who both limped off in their last game. That could see summer signings Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze thrust straight into the spotlight at Anfield alongside Viktor Gyökeres.

But I’m not convinced that trio will have enough firepower to outgun a Liverpool side that are scoring for fun and, with the Anfield crowd behind them, carry a serious home advantage.

If you fancy either side to win, Paddy Power’s new customer offer gives 50/1 on Liverpool or 70/1 on Arsenal. Click here to find out more.