[Teams] Liverpool vs Arsenal: confirmed line-ups when Merino starts for Gunners

Both teams will be looking for an early marker in the title race while Liverpool will take on Arsenal this afternoon.

The men of Arne Slot have won their opening of two games, but the Dutch coach hopes to sharpen things at the back after he has admitted twice in the matches against Bournemouth and Newcastle.

Alisson Becker is holding a goal for Liverpool today and he is protected by a back four of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez. Conor Bradley is only fit enough for a place on the couch.

Alexis Macallister is back to full fitness and he starts in midfield next to Ryan Gravenberch. Florian Wirtz also holds his place in the attacking role in midfield.

Mohamed Salah will again be the danger to Liverpool on the right flank while Cody Gakpo holds his place on the left. Hugo Ekitike will want to continue his good start for life in Liverpool while leading the line in the front.

Gunners blow

As far as Arsenal is concerned, they will keep up with their 100% record so far. The Gunners have gained victories over Man Utd and Leeds UTD without giving a goal, so Mikel Arteta will hope for a new excluding in Anfield.

David Raya starts again among the sticks, while the rear four consists of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori.

Martin Zubimendi – once a target for Liverpool – anchors midfield for Arsenal and is accompanied by Declan Rice. Martin Odegaard is in the team, but is not fit enough to start because of a shoulder problem, so that Mikel Merino enters.

Bukayo Saka is excluded after picking up a hamstring injury, so he joins Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Christian Norgaard on the sidelines.

Gabriel Martinelli starts on the left wing for the gunners while Noni Madueke goes to the right flank. That means that new signing Ebereechi must settle for a place on the couch together with Leandro Trossard.

Viktor Gyokeres stepped out of the goal after his summer movement of Sporting Lisbon who had won a brace against Leeds last weekend. The Swedish international will be looking for the back of the net against Liverpool this afternoon.

Here are the confirmed line-ups:

Liverpool

Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Korde, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Robertson, Bradley, Ngumoha.

Arsenal

Raya; Wood, Saliba, Gabriel, Calaforiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Merino; Hikeke, Martinelli; Gyökeres.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Lewis-Skelly, Mosquera, Odegarard, Dawman, Dowman, Eze, Trossard, Harriman-Anannous.