Mikel Arteta has made two changeMikel Arteta has made two changes to his starting line-up for this afternoon’s game against Liverpool at Anfield, with last season’s two goalscorers in this fixture Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino returning selected from the off.
Martinelli, who has scored four goals in his five appearances at Anfield, replaces Bukayo Saka who picked up a hamstring injury in our 5-0 win against Leeds United last time out. Martin Odegaard also left the field early against the Whites last weekend and he is only fit enough for a spot on the bench, with Merino taking his starting spot.
New arrival Eberechi Eze is included alongside our skipper amongst the replacements, as is youngster Andre Harriman-Annous who is included on a first-team bench for the first time
Team news
Team news: Two changes made for Liverpool test
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Jonathon Rogers
31 Aug 2025
Gabriel Martinelli in action against Manchester United
Mikel Arteta has made two changes to his starting line-up for this afternoon’s game against Liverpool at Anfield, with last season’s two goalscorers in this fixture Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino returning selected from the off.
Martinelli, who has scored four goals in his five appearances at Anfield, replaces Bukayo Saka who picked up a hamstring injury in our 5-0 win against Leeds United last time out. Martin Odegaard also left the field early against the Whites last weekend and he is only fit enough for a spot on the bench, with Merino taking his starting spot.
New arrival Eberechi Eze is included alongside our skipper amongst the replacements, as is youngster Andre Harriman-Annous who is included on a first-team bench for the first time.
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Liverpool meanwhile have made one change from their side that clinched a dramatic 3-2 win at Newcastle United on Monday night.
Alexis Mac Alister missed that game with a knock but after training all week he comes back into the team, with Curtis Jones coming out of the side.
17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who won the game against the Magpies on Monday, is on the bench once again.
LINE-UPS
Liverpool: Allison, Szoboszlai, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike.
Subs: Mamardashvili, Bradley, Robertson, Gomez, Endo, Elliott, Ngumoha, Chiesa.
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Merino, Rice, Martinelli, Madueke, Gyokeres.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Lewis-Skelly, Mosquera, Odegaard, Nwaneri, Dowman, Eze, Trossard, Harriman-Annous.
Ahead of kick-off, get the need-to-know stats, tactics, a guide to Liverpool's summer and TV coverage by reading our in-depth match preview
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