Top pundits Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have made their predictions for the clash between Premier League contenders Liverpool and Arsenal.Â
One has backed them to play out a 1-1 draw, while the other predicted a win for Arsenal.
UK bookmakers are, however, tipping Liverpool to get maximum points at Anfield. The Reds are 6/5 with football betting sites to win the game.
Both teams have won their first two league games this season, scoring six points. The north London club sit at the summit, thanks to their superior head-to-head record.
Liverpool vs Arsenal Predictions: Merson Goes for 1-1 Draw
Arsenal will be without Bukayo Saka, who is recovering from a hamstring injury. Kai Havertz is also out, while captain Martin Odegaard is racing against time to be fit for the game.
In his SportsKeeda column, Merson wrote:
“Bukayo Saka is definitely out, and we’re waiting to find out if Martin Odegaard plays. Arsenal need to come out of this trip to Anfield with at least a draw. If they lose, Liverpool have a massive advantage because of the fixtures they have played till now.
“I always go with the comparison of the fixtures teams have played and the points they get from it. Even if Liverpool weren’t at their best away from home to Newcastle, they still got three points. I don’t expect Arsenal to do the same thing if they were in that situation!”
The Liverpool vs Arsenal stats seem to back-up Merson’s prediction – with four of the last five H2H’s ending all-square.
Dominik Szoboszlai was the only Liverpool outfield player who didn’t touch the ball in the build-up to Rio Ngumoha’s winner v Newcastle…
But his dummy created it 🤌 pic.twitter.com/ld3I4M90Sm
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 28, 2025
Merson warned Arsenal needed to improve to get something against the defending English champions. He also explained why new signing Eberechi Eze — whose switch to Arsenal has secured millions for Championship side QPR —needed to start the game.
“If Arsenal play like they did against Manchester United, they have no chance, and they will get blown away at Anfield. I don’t think Arsenal will be that poor, though.
“Eberechi Eze should start this game, and he’s a top player. Sometimes, when Liverpool go attack, attack, attack, it can be relentless for their opponents. That’s where you need players like Eze to keep hold of the ball. So if they play like they did at Old Trafford, this game will be over by half-time!”
Merson concluded by adding:
“I’d be happy with 1-1 if I’m Arsenal. But for some reason, my head still says Liverpool. I’m going to listen to my heart here and go with 1-1!”
Merson’s Score Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
Sutton Says Arsenal Could ‘Bully’ Liverpool
While Paul Merson drew Liverpool as the stronger side, Chris Sutton had a different take. He pointed out the Reds’ leaky defence, which had conceded four goals in the last two Premier League games. In his Liverpool vs Arsenal predictions, Sutton said Newcastle “bullied” Arne Slot’s side, and there was no reason the Gunners could not do the same.
Sutton wrote in his BBC column:
“They’re too defensively vulnerable. They’ve already conceded four goals. Ibrahima Konate looks shot to pieces and has been all over the place in the last two games. He’s been a great player in the past for Liverpool, but right now, he looks like a triallist.
Perfectly placed 🤌 https://t.co/sZEIbob4Di pic.twitter.com/UafCYLHQzs
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 28, 2025
“If you’re a Liverpool fan, I guess the good thing is your side are still getting results. But if you want to win league titles, you’ve got to be watertight and strong at the back, and I’m not so sure Liverpool are.“
He concluded by adding:
“Liverpool got bullied by Newcastle. There’s no reason why Arsenal can’t bully them, too. I’ve just got a sneaky feeling that Arsenal, bolstered by new signing Eberechi Eze, will exploit them.”
Sutton’s Score Prediction: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal
The two Premier League giants have met 115 times at Anfield over the years. Liverpool have won 61 games, Arsenal 29, and 25 matches have ended all square. Interestingly, their last four meetings at Anfield ended in a draw.
