12 hours ago
2
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confirmed his starting XI for the huge clash with Arsenal at Anfield, where the two Premier League title rivals come head-to-head early in the new campaign.
Alisson Becker is in the Liverpool goal, with a back four of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez. There had been some talk that Andy Robertson could come in, but the newly-appointed vice-captain remains among the subs.
In midfield, Slot has selected Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo are in front them and behind Hugo Ekitike, who has scored two goals in two Premier League appearances so far.
"Arsenal are a side that we have a lot of respect for and which has shown its quality consistently over the last few seasons," Slot writes in today's official matchday program.
"We expect nothing other than a difficult game against them today. We have already had two extremely tough games in the league this season, against Bournemouth and Newcastle.
"To come into this game with maximum points is a real positive for us, and can hopefully give us a lot of confidence moving forward.
"Of course, as always, there are areas we know we can improve in, but I think the mentality and the character that we have shown already is something we can be happy with.
"We certainly showed that mentality and character up at Newcastle on Monday night.
"I said after the game that I had only experienced an atmosphere and a game like that once before since I came to England, and that was Everton away last season.
"So many things happened, the fans were so loud and so there for the home team, and at times it felt like complete chaos — almost nothing to do with tactics or good football.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
"So to stay strong in that situation, to fight and compete for every ball and then, in the end, to find the quality to go and win the game says a lot about our players, I think.
"We will play better games of football this season, I am sure, but we might not get many better victories, given the circumstances and the way the game panned out."
Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike. Subs: Mamardashvili, Bradley, Leoni, Robertson, Endo, Chiesa, Elliott, Ngumoha.
English (US) ·