Liverpool v Arsenal preview: kick-off time, team news and form
Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday 1st November 2026, with kick-off at 4.30pm UK time in a Premier League clash that always carries extra weight whenever these two meet. Virgil van Dijk summed up the occasion on LiverpoolFC.com, saying "what a fixture this is" and that Liverpool v Arsenal "is always special" (LiverpoolFC.com).
There's plenty on the line too. Liverpool currently sit 5th in the Premier League table, while Arsenal have been among the league's front-runners this season. Liverpool Echo notes the hosts have the chance to close the gap on Arsenal in the table with a result at Anfield (Liverpool Echo), and This Is Anfield reports Liverpool are also chasing a new unbeaten home record going into the game (This Is Anfield).
Form-wise, Liverpool's last five Premier League games read DWLWW - a draw with Fulham, wins over Bournemouth and Brentford, a loss to Manchester City, and most recently a win against Brighton. Arsenal's last five in the league read WLWWW, having beaten Sunderland, lost to Brighton, then won against Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Everton in succession.
Pundits seem split on what to expect. Liverpool Echo reports that six pundits have offered six different predictions ahead of the game (Liverpool Echo), while Paul Merson has suggested Arsenal could be set to push on in the title race, though he also feels Liverpool are "starting to cook" according to Liverpool.com (Liverpool.com). On the Arsenal side, Mikel Arteta is said to be "fully convinced" his side can win at Anfield, somewhere he has never tasted victory as Arsenal manager, as reported by Liverpool.com (Liverpool.com). Sky Sports also flags a selection dilemma up front for Arteta, with both Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres short on goals this season (Sky Sports). BBC Sport, meanwhile, points to a growing feel-good factor at Anfield under Andoni Iraola ahead of facing the reigning champions (BBC Sport).
There's been plenty of individual talk too. Liverpool.com reports that loanee Ronald Araujo has been a popular figure at Anfield and has thrown down a challenge to his teammates ahead of the Arsenal game (Liverpool.com) (Liverpool.com), while Liverpool Echo discusses Andoni Iraola's selection approach and how he may be borrowing ideas from Arsenal's own setup (Liverpool Echo). There's also a transfer subplot via Liverpool Echo, with Bradley Barcola's decision to snub Arsenal in favour of joining Liverpool in the summer given a mention (Liverpool Echo).
On team news, injuries look set to be a significant factor for both sides. Liverpool Echo reports as many as 14 players could be missing for Liverpool's game against Arsenal following an Andoni Iraola injury update (Liverpool Echo), while Liverpool.com puts the combined number of absentees across both squads at 13 (Liverpool.com). This Is Anfield has further detail on Liverpool's available squad, injuries and suspensions (This Is Anfield), and Liverpool Echo also has predicted line-ups, including calls to be made on Trey Nyoni and Milos Kerkez (Liverpool Echo).
Kick-off at Anfield is 4.30pm UK time on Sunday 1st November 2026.
Written with the help of AI, using the match facts and the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
