Liverpool Set to Restore Star Names for Arsenal Clash at Anfield

Liverpool are expected to make seven changes from their midweek cup side as Andoni Iraola brings his key men back for Sunday's Premier League visit of Arsenal. Alisson, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz are all tipped to start at Anfield, with Victor Munoz and Dominik Szoboszlai facing fitness checks.

  • Fixture: Liverpool vs Arsenal, Premier League, Sunday afternoon at Anfield
  • Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Barcola, Isak, Gakpo
  • Change count: Iraola is expected to make seven changes from the midweek Carabao Cup win over Chelsea
  • Doubts: Victor Munoz and Dominik Szoboszlai could be involved after recent injury issues
  • Out: Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong are unavailable
  • Context: Liverpool sit third in the league on 15 points from eight matches; Arsenal are second on 21

Predicted line-ups

Liverpool (expected shape)

Starting XI: Alisson Becker; Ronald Araujo, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Florian Wirtz; Bradley Barcola, Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo

Substitutes: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Joe Gomez, Kostas Tsimikas, Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha

Selection notes

Iraola rotated his starting line-up in midweek to give his star players a breather ahead of this important fixture, and those players are likely to return. As a result, Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to drop to the bench, with Alisson Becker restored in goal.

In central defence, Jeremy Jacquet is expected to partner Virgil van Dijk. Ronald Araujo and Milos Kerkez are tipped for the full-back roles, which would leave Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas among the substitutes.

In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch should anchor as the defensive midfielder, with Alexis Mac Allister in the box-to-box role and Florian Wirtz in the creative position. That would leave Trey Nyoni on the bench.

Further forward, Bradley Barcola could start on the left flank and Cody Gakpo on the opposite side. Alexander Isak should lead the line, with Rio Ngumoha an option from the bench if needed.

Arsenal

No Arsenal line-up is included in the source information. Arsenal travel to Anfield second in the league on 21 points from eight matches, but arrive on the back of a disappointing Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town.

Injury and availability

  • Giovanni Leoni: Sidelined with a long-term injury problem.
  • Conor Bradley: Sidelined with a long-term injury problem.
  • Hugo Ekitike: Sidelined with a long-term injury problem.
  • Jeremie Frimpong: Not available for selection owing to injury.
  • Victor Munoz: Out since picking up an issue against Brentford, but there is a chance he is ready enough to be involved this weekend.
  • Dominik Szoboszlai: Out since picking up an issue against Brentford, but there is a chance he is ready enough to be involved this weekend.

The numbers

  • 15 — Liverpool's points from eight Premier League matches, placing them third.
  • 21 — Arsenal's points from eight Premier League matches, placing them second.
  • 3 — Liverpool's wins from three Champions League matches, putting them third in that table.
  • 5 — Consecutive victories Liverpool have recorded in recent weeks.
  • 7 — Expected changes to Liverpool's starting line-up for this fixture.

Why Iraola's rotation gamble is the right call for Arsenal

The most revealing detail here is the number seven. Iraola clearly treated the midweek Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea, which Liverpool won on penalties, as a fixture for the fringes. Restoring Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak in one sweep tells you exactly how he views the Arsenal game: as the priority of the week.

The midfield structure is the interesting part. Ryan Gravenberch as the sole holder, with Alexis Mac Allister shuttling box-to-box and Wirtz freed in the creative slot, is a setup built to progress the ball quickly rather than sit deep. Trey Nyoni making way is no slight on the youngster — it is a recognition that this is a game for established legs.

Wide, the pairing of Bradley Barcola on the left and Cody Gakpo on the right gives Liverpool two direct runners either side of Isak. The full-back choices reinforce it: Ronald Araujo and Milos Kerkez are the more aggressive option, which pushes Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas to the bench. The risk is a centre-back pairing of Jeremy Jacquet and Van Dijk that has had little time together, against an Arsenal side that will test it.

Talking points

  • Is Jacquet the right partner for Van Dijk in a fixture of this size, or should Gomez's experience have been preferred at centre-back?
  • Starting Gravenberch as the lone holding midfielder against Arsenal asks a lot of him — is that a risk worth taking at home?
  • Liverpool have won five in a row; disrupting that rhythm with seven changes could be Iraola's biggest call of the season.
  • Arsenal arrive off a Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town — does that make them more dangerous, or expose a weakness Liverpool can exploit?

What happens next

Iraola's final selection will be confirmed closer to Sunday afternoon's kick-off at Anfield, with fitness checks on Victor Munoz and Dominik Szoboszlai the last variables. Liverpool are chasing a sixth straight win and a statement result against a side above them; Arsenal are protecting second place on 21 points.

Frequently asked questions

Is Alisson starting for Liverpool vs Arsenal?

Yes — the predicted line-up has Alisson Becker in goal ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili, who is expected to be among the substitutes.

Who is leading the line for Liverpool against Arsenal?

Alexander Isak is expected to start up front, with Rio Ngumoha an option from the bench if needed.

What is Liverpool's predicted line-up against Arsenal?

Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Barcola, Isak, Gakpo.

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