Liverpool vs Arsenal. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats, and more

Liverpool FC will face Arsenal FC in a Club Friendly match at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, USA. The fixture will take place on Thursday, August 1, beginning at 05:00 IST.

Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Liverpool News & Current Form: 

As part of their pre-season preparations in the USA, Liverpool played a friendly match against Spanish side Real Betis. The game, held in Pittsburgh, ended with a 1:0 victory for the Reds. The only goal was scored by Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai at the end of the first half, assisted by Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah. This match marked the debut of Dutchman Arne Slot as Liverpool’s head coach, succeeding the legendary German Jürgen Klopp after his eight-year tenure. 

As a reminder, the Dutch specialist had previously managed Feyenoord Rotterdam, leading them to win the Eredivisie in the 2022/23 season, which was only the club’s second championship title in the 21st century. With the German specialist, Liverpool won the EPL,  the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Arne in America 🫡🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/dvwnyH8aIm

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 28, 2024

Liverpool have upcoming friendlies against Arsenal and Manchester United in the USA, followed by a match against Sevilla FC at Anfield. On 18 August, the Reds will play their first Premier League match against Ipswich Town FC, a team recently promoted from the Championship. The main star players are still on holiday after a busy Copa America and UEFA EURO 2024 schedule, as captain Virgil van Dijk, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and others have not travelled with the team.

Regarding transfers, there have been rumours of interest from Real Madrid CF in Trent Alexander-Arnold, but the right-back wishes to remain at his current club. The 25-year-old player is eager to play under the new head coach. In the 2023/24 season, Alexander-Arnold made 37 club appearances, scoring three goals and providing nine assists. His market value is estimated at €70 million.

Additionally, Liverpool captain van Dijk has decided on his future: the 33-year-old Dutch international has chosen to stay at the club and is even looking to extend his contract, which currently runs until the summer of 2025. This decision has been positively received by gaffer Slot, who was keen for his compatriot to remain part of the team.

The new manager understands why the club has not made any new signings this summer but would be surprised if they end the transfer window without any new additions:

“I have joined a team with many great players, so it is difficult to improve this squad. I am happy with the players we have at Liverpool, but I will be surprised if we don’t sign anyone. Transfers will likely come at the end of the window because I am now waiting for all the players to return to training,” said Slot.

Don`t miss out 👉: Top 5 Players Liverpool Should Sell ft. Salah, Kelleher, etc.

Arsenal News & Current Form: 

The team is currently managed by their former captain, Mikel Arteta. This is the Spaniard’s first full experience as a head coach, having previously assisted his friend Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Although his tenure has had its challenges, Arsenal have emerged as the primary rival to the Citizens in the last two seasons. However, in both 2023 and 2024, Guardiola’s side narrowly edged out Arteta’s team to retain the title.

Arsenal continue their preparations for the new Premier League season. On 28 July, they faced Manchester United FC to gauge their current form. While the victory may not have been critical for the coaches, it was the Londoners who celebrated. United took the lead in the tenth minute through Rasmus Højlund, but Gabriel Jesus equalised in the first half. Gabriel Martinelli secured the win for the Gunners with a precise strike in the 81st minute. After the game, the teams decided to have a penalty shootout, which MU won with a score of 4:3.

Arsenal’s pre-season kicked off with a 2:1 victory in a friendly against AFC Bournemouth. The regulation time ended in a draw, leading to a penalty shootout where the Gunners prevailed. However, the result should not be overemphasised as the Spanish manager made ten substitutions during the match. After the meeting with the Reds, the Gunners will return to North London to play a friendly against Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Olympique Lyonnais at the Emirates Stadium as part of the Emirates FA Cup just six days before their EPL opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers FC on August 17.

Understanding the need to improve, the Gunners have already made notable transfers and invested in young talents, such as 18-year-old Tommy Setford, who previously played for the youth academy of AFC Ajax.

Also, Londoners announced the signing of Bologna FC 1909 defender Riccardo Calafiori after protracted negotiations, the transfer fee is estimated at £42 million. The 22-year-old Italian has signed a contract until mid-2029 and is capable of playing both as a central defender and on the left flank. Last season, Calafiori helped his club to a surprising qualification for the Champions League, playing 30 matches, scoring 2 goals, and providing 5 assists. At Euro 2024, he played 3 group stage matches for Italy and missed the round of 16 due to an accumulation of yellow cards. The player also previously won the UEFA Europa Conference League with AS Roma.

First day ✅ pic.twitter.com/b9p6fVmp07

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 29, 2024

Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar commented:

“We have identified Riccardo as part of our strategy to sign players who meet our standards and will strengthen our team to compete at the highest level. Riccardo has consistently demonstrated his qualities for his club and country. He was one of the best players in Serie A last season and showed excellent performances for Italy at the Euros this summer. Mikel Arteta and our coaches are excited to start working with Riccardo, and we all look forward to seeing him in our shirt.” 

It is worth noting that Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has not joined the team in the United States, and the reason has become clear: he is set to become a Fulham FC player in the coming days. The clubs have agreed on a transfer fee of £34 million, including bonuses, which will be a record transfer in the history of the Cottagers. The 24-year-old central midfielder struggled to secure a spot in the Gunners’ lineup, having made just 19 appearances and provided 2 assists last season.

Don`t miss out 👉: Top 5 Players Arsenal Should Sell ft. Ramsdale, Partey, etc.

Liverpool form guide: L-D-W-D-W-W

Arsenal form guide: W-W-W-W-W-W

Liverpool vs Arsenal Head-To-Head Record:

• December 23, 2023: Liverpool 1 – 1 Arsenal (Premier League);
• January 7, 2024: Arsenal 0 – 2 Liverpool (FA Cup);
• February 4, 2024: Arsenal 3 – 1 Liverpool (Premier League).

Liverpool vs Arsenal Predicted XI:

Liverpool’s possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van den Berg, Tsimikas; Endo, Morton; Salah, Szoboszlai, Elliott; Jota.

Arsenal’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Hein; White, Timber, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Nwaneri; Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli.

Statistical preview of the match Liverpool vs Arsenal:

• Liverpool’s First XI average age is 24.8 years, and Arsenal’s First XI average age is 25.0 years.
• The total value of the Reds’ squad is 949 mln euros, while the total of Gunners comes up to 1.15 bln euros.
• The Gunners have just one defeat in their last 5 games against Liverpool.
• Liverpool have won just 4 of their last 10 official matches, Arsenal have won 6 in a row.

What has been said before the match:

Riccardo Calafiori about a long-time dream to play in the English Premier League and the start of something bigger:

“It feels amazing. It was tough until now, but finally, we’re here and I cannot wait to start to train with the team and play for the fans. It’s been my dream since I was 12 or 13 years old because I can see the level of the league here and the best players in the world, for me, play here. It’s a dream and not only for me but for everybody.”

“I spoke a lot with the coach and with Edu, and they convinced me, but I was already convinced by myself. I think it’s the best project for me for the next few years, and I think I will improve as a player.

“I just met Jorginho one month ago, but I can see that he’s a really good guy. I was already convinced but he forced me. He said: ‘Come, come, come! You will enjoy being here, the team is amazing and the staff, everything is good.’ You can see that already from the first few minutes here.”

“I came here to play so I will do everything to play and to give something to the team. I hope I can do that from the first few games. From my point of view, it’s just the start, the beginning of something bigger. I’m excited to start to play for Arsenal and to win trophies.”

Gaffer of Arsenal Mikel Arteta about signing Ricardo and the recently appointed coach of the opponent:

“I’m very happy. It took a while – it was a player that we had monitored for a year. We were short in the backline last year in terms of numbers and we demanded so much from them. William Saliba, for example, played in every minute of the Premier League and we believe we had to be more protected. We identified him as a talent that can give us skills and qualities that are going to make us better. We are signing a player with a huge capacity to develop.”

“The game against Liverpool is another great test. We’re in a different city, there’s jetlag and we have to adapt to that. It’s a different pitch, different stadium and weather conditions. It’s all great, and we’re against a team with a new manager that I like, especially the way he plays. It is going to be tough and will be a good test as well.”

“I don’t know Arne Slot personally but I watched him with his past team. First of all, I like him a lot as a person and the way he comes across. I’ve heard very good things from players who are probably the best ones to ask, and I’m impressed with the way he sets out his teams and the clarity and the quality that they show, so it’s going to be a really good game.”

Liverpool vs Arsenal Prediction:

The Gunners are aiming high in the upcoming 24/25 campaign, needing to get up to speed as quickly as possible. Mikel Arteta is testing the synergies between the players in a near-optimal squad, where the promising Ethan Nwaneri, who is expected to start, is particularly keen to prove himself. On the other hand, we should not underestimate Liverpool’s youngsters, as they have shown that they can dominate the game, albeit against average opposition like Real Betis. This may not be enough to contain Arsenal’s vigorous attack that averages 2.4 goals per match. The Red and Whites look more preferable now and have played one more game in the USA, which makes them slight favourites. In 4 out of 5 head-to-head confrontations, the opponents have exchanged goals, with Arsenal losing only in 1 of them. At the same time, at least 2 goals have been scored in the last 7 consecutive meetings. We expect an open game with the teams set to be exchanging offensive charges. Merseysiders will not leave the field without a goal – Mohammad Salah and Diogo Jota are sure to have their moments, but the Londoners will still be closer to victory. 

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: Arsenal will not lose and the match total will be over 1.5 – Yes.