The Premier League clash between Liverpool and Arsenal on Sunday, 11th May 2025 at Anfield isn’t quite the title decider the neutral was hoping for, but it still promises to be a compelling encounter.
Liverpool secured the Premier League title after thrashing Spurs 5-1 at Anfield with four matches still to play. Although Arsenal tried to go toe to toe with Arne Slot, they failed, and largely put their efforts into securing their first ever Champions League title.
However, Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League midweek against French outfit Paris Saint-Germain, and so Mikel Arteta’s deflated team may just struggle to motivate themselves against the newly crowned champions.
Yet Arsenal can’t afford to feel sorry for themselves. There’s still work to do domestically in order to secure their Champions League spot next season, and although trips to Anfield are never easy – only Nottingham Forest have beaten them there this campaign – Arsenal must rally and try to cause a minor upset.
Liverpool vs Arsenal: head-to-head
Historically, Liverpool have had the upper hand in their encounters with Arsenal. Out of 72 matches between the two clubs, Liverpool have won 26, Arsenal have won 20, and 26 have ended in draws. At Anfield, Liverpool’s record improves to 17 wins, seven draws, and 13 losses against Arsenal.
However, recent encounters have been more balanced. In their last five meetings, Liverpool have won two, Arsenal have won one, and two have ended in draws. Notably, Arsenal secured a 3-1 victory over Liverpool in February 2024.
Despite Liverpool’s strong overall record, Arsenal have proven to be a formidable opponent in recent seasons, and their 2-2 draw at the Emirates earlier in the campaign was one of the best Premier League matches of the season.
However, despite leading twice thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka and Mikel Moreno, Liverpool showed why they are champions, coming back twice to take a valuable point back up north.
Arsenal head into this clash having failed to win any of their last four matches, and they still haven’t confirmed their spot in the Champions League next season.
A loss against Liverpool could well see the chasing pack close the gap – and securing their Champions League spot could go down to the wire.
To make matters worse, Arsenal haven’t won at Anfield since 2012 – and even with the Premier League title wrapped up, the hosts aren’t going to gift their opponents three points. The rivalry will still very much be there.
Liverpool squad overview
Liverpool enter this match as the Premier League champions, having secured the title earlier in the season.
Manager Arne Slot has been excellent in his first season in charge, and although he will still be taking the match seriously, he has indicated that he is planning to rotate the squad in the final matches to evaluate depth and development options.
Players such as Conor Bradley , Wataru Endō and Harvey Elliott are expected to feature more prominently – which might be pleasing news for some Arsenal fans who will be hoping to get over the line and have another chance in the Champions League next campaign.
However, even if Liverpool rotate, they will still have other key players who are capable of producing the goods. Can anyone stop the Premier League golden boot winner?
Liverpool’s key players to watch against Arsenal include:
- Mohamed Salah: The Egyptian forward has been in scintillating form this season, contributing both goals and assists – 28 goals and 18 assists, to be precise. His ability to change the game single-handedly makes him a constant threat, and the fact that he has recently signed a new contract means that Liverpool are likely to be favourites next season to lift the Premier League title.
- Dominik Szoboszlai: The Hungarian midfielder has been instrumental in Liverpool’s midfield, providing creativity and vision. He’s the key man in the middle for Slot. Szoboszlai is able to provide support to Salah in forward positions, and it won’t be a shock to see him on the scoresheet again before the season ends.
- Virgil van Dijk: The Dutch defender remains a rock at the back, offering leadership and composure under pressure. Similar to Salah, he has also signed a new contract, giving everyone involved with the club a lift after he was linked to join a club in Saudi Arabia.
Arsenal squad overview
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal have endured a season of highs and lows. Despite a strong league campaign, they were eliminated from the Champions League semi-finals by Paris Saint-Germain, and it was clearly a defeat that left players visibly emotional.
Another trophyless season has seen many fans question whether Arteta is the right man for the job going forward. Fans haven’t seen a Premier League title for two decades, while Arteta has only won one trophy in the last six years. This simply isn’t good enough for a club of Arsenal’s size, and something has to change.
However, the former Arsenal player is building a squad that is capable of competing, and several big names will have to stand up and be counted away to Liverpool if they want to convince the fans that Arteta is the right man for the job.
Key players to watch out for against Liverpool include:
- Gabriel Martinelli: The Brazilian winger has been in good form during this campaign, scoring in key moments. However, Arsenal fans will want to see more from him in the final games of the season due to the squad’s long list of injuries. Martinelli’s positioning and finishing add a new dimension to Arsenal’s attack.
- Bukayo Saka: The young winger has been Arsenal’s player of the season and continues to impress with his pace, dribbling and goal-scoring ability. Saka’s versatility makes him a constant threat on the flanks. Having scored key goals in the Champions League, fans will be hoping that he has one or two more tricks up his sleeve this season – starting against Liverpool.
- William Saliba: The French defender has been a standout at the back this season, combining physicality with technical ability. His partnership with Gabriel Magalhães has been crucial to Arsenal’s defensive solidity. Real Madrid have been linked heavily with the centre-back, and Arsenal must fight if they are to keep him going forward.
Match prediction
Considering Liverpool’s current form and squad depth, it is not surprising to see that they are the favourites going into this match.
However, it may not be a complete walk in the park if Slot is going to rotate his team, as he has publicly announced.
Liverpool recently lost 3-1 against Chelsea, though that was at Stamford Bridge and came a week after securing the title. Slot will do his best to make sure that his players react and pick up the three points against Arsenal – signing off the season in style.
Away from Liverpool, a lot will depend on whether or not Arsenal can rally after failing to deliver in France. No doubt this will be weighing heavily on their minds, and they will want the season to be over so that they can press the reset button and go again next campaign.
However, Arsenal’s resilience and attacking prowess cannot be underestimated. The match may be closely contested, with both teams having the potential to secure a positive result.
Looking at the odds, Liverpool are currently 2.0. A price that isn’t odds-on for them to win at Anfield is extremely rare, and one that is almost impossible to ignore – rotations or not. Arsenal have to come out fighting, but so often this season, they have fallen short – and that might happen once again with Liverpool in a confident mood.
Liverpool put five past Spurs, and there’s no reason why this game couldn’t get out of hand if they score an early goal.
For those interested in placing bets on the Premier League, including this clash between Liverpool and Arsenal, it’s advisable to check the latest odds on Tonybet, as they provide up-to-date information and a variety of betting options. Do remember to always gamble responsibly.
To sum up, while Liverpool’s home advantage and squad rotation plans may give Arteta an edge, Liverpool have been relentless under Arne Slot, and another home win – at a big price – looks the way to play this mouthwatering clash.
