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Liverpool vs Arsenal preview, injury latest, possible XI & prediction

By on April 29, 2025

martin odegaard arsenal

Arsenal travel to Anfield to take on newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday 11th May.

In what was meant to be a potential title decider, unfortunately the game will now have significantly less riding on it. Arsenal have failed to maintain any sort of real pressure on Liverpool over the past few weeks and Arne Slot’s men have wrapped up the title with four games to go.

Arsenal have suffered from debilitating injuries that certainly haven’t helped, but we’ve still dropped far too many stupid points to be serious contenders this year. Many feel the title was over by February but we still had the chance to close the gap by putting a winning run together. However, we lost at home to West Ham, and drew with Forest and Man Utd in early March which left us too much to do.

Another disappointing draw away to Everton was followed up by a draw at home to Brentford. Last weeks 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace was the final nail in the coffin. Arsenal let slip a lead twice and William Saliba’s error gifted Palace a late equaliser.

The result meant Liverpool could wrap-up the title at home to Tottenham and they did so in fashion with a 5-1 win. Fans with Liverpool tickets enjoyed a special day at Anfield as they secured their 20th league title.

We go into the last four league games sitting 15 points adrift in second place and we’re now looking over our shoulders as several clubs could yet snatch second spot from us. Arsenal cannot afford to coast our way to the end of the season as we still haven’t secured a Champions League qualification place for next season.

If Forest win their game in hand, they’ll move up to third and just four points behind. That would leave Man City in fifth and just six points behind Arsenal so there is still work to be done.

How to watch

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports at 4.30pm UK time on Sunday 11th May. Subscribers can follow all the action through their Sky box or via the Sky Go app on mobile and tablet devices.

Match going fans can also secure their seat at Anfield by purchasing Liverpool vs Arsenal tickets through the clubs or via a trusted online reseller such as Seatsnet.com.

Team news

Arsenal continue to be hampered by a number of injury issues that have impacted results in the league these past few months. Gabriel Jesus won’t play again until later on this year after undergoing surgery on a serious ACL injury that he sustained back in January.

Kai Havertz has been stepping up his rehabilitation in the gym after undergoing hamstring surgery in early February. The German was initially ruled out for the rest of the season but he’s ahead of schedule in his recovery, sparking hopes he might yet play a part in our campaign – especially if we reach the Champions League final. However, the trip to Anfield will come too soon for Havertz.

Takehiro Tomiyasu will be another absentee as he’s endured a torrid injury-plagued season. After struggling to overcome a knee injury, the defender underwent an operation in February and will be out until around October.

In another huge blow to Arsenal, Gabriel Magalhaes was ruled out for the rest of the campaign after tearing his hamstring a month ago. The Brazilian’s absence is a massive blow as he’s a vital player in Arteta’s line-up but hopefully he can recover in time to start pre-season in July.

Jorginho is also expected to miss the Liverpool game after picking up a rib injury and he’s facing a race against time to play again this season. However, there is slightly better news on Riccardo Calafiori as he’s on the verge of making his comeback from a knee injury that he sustained while playing for Italy in March. The defender should recover in time to be in the squad for the trip to Anfield.

Ben White and Mikel Merino missed the recent draw with Crystal Palace but are set to make swift returns to action so should be available to face Liverpool.

As for the Reds, they have virtually a fully-fit squad to choose from – which is one of the main reasons they have ran away with the title. Slot hasn’t had to deal with a crippling injury list like Arteta has.

Joe Gomez is the only serious absentee as he’s recovering from a thigh injury, but the defender may be ready to return for the Arsenal game. Conor Bradley has been carrying a knock but he’s expected to be fit.

Possible XI

The game against Liverpool comes just four days after our Champions League semi-final second leg away to PSG so it will be interesting to see how Arteta approaches things. The boss may be tempted to start some fresh legs at Anfield but he’ll also want to get a positive result against the champions to make a statement ahead of next season.

David Raya will start in goal while we may see Ben White come in at right-back for Jurrien Timber. Myles Lewis-Skelly could keep his place and it will be interesting to see how he does up against Mohamed Salah.

Jacub Kiwior should keep his place alongside William Saliba in the middle of Arsenal’s defence while Thomas Partey is likely to start alongside Declan Rice once again in midfield. Martin Odegaard will captain the side and he’ll need to put in an improved display if we’re to get a result at Anfield as he’s struggled for form lately.

Bukayo Saka will be Arsenal’s main dangerman in attack with the in-form Gabriel Martinelli likely to start on the opposite flank. Merino has done a terrific job leading the line up front since Havertz got injured so he’ll keep his place against Liverpool with Leandro Trossard on the bench.

Possible Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Merino

Predicted score

I think much will depend on how our semi-final goes against PSG. If we crash out of the CL, it will be extremely difficult for the squad to lift themselves to play Liverpool away a few days later. However, if we progress to the CL final, the players will be in buoyant mood heading to Anfield looking to prove we can match the PL champions.

I’ve said for most of the season that there isn’t a lot between the two sides and we certainly don’t deserve to be 15 points apart. I hope the players want to prove that at Anfield and give Liverpool something to think about ahead of next season.

I don’t see us winning this game as we’ll be drained from the PSG game no matter the result, but hopefully we have enough left in the tank to get a draw. Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal