Liverpool vs Arsenal - Premier League LIVE: Eberechi Eze is named on the bench as Arsenal gear up for huge clash with title rivals at Anfield

It is foolish to under-estimate Mikel Merino but it is hard not to feel that Mikel Arteta has been conservative in his team selection this afternoon.

I'd have preferred Eze over Martinelli and Nwaneri over Merino.

It looks like Arteta's come for a point.

Good news for Liverpool and Arsenal fans before their game kicks off.

Title rivals Manchester City have just been beaten for the second week running.

Pep Guardiola's side led 1-0 at half-time thanks to a goal from Erling Haaland.

But the Seagulls soared back with strikes from former Liverpool star James Milner and sub Brajan Gruda.

Milner marked his goal, which came from a penalty, by imitating Diogo Jota's old celebration.

There’s extra incentive for Liverpool’s forwards this afternoon. If they find the net, it will be the 37th consecutive league game in which the champions have scored — a new club record.

Their current streak of 36 matches equals the run set between March 2019 and February 2020 under Jurgen Klopp.

Arne Slot has continued that tradition of attacking football, with his side managing to score in 39 of his 40 Premier League games in charge so far — a remarkable 98 per cent strike rate.

A strong XI for Liverpool today with Dominik Szoboszlai staying on at right back after a decent performance there on Monday night at Newcastle.

But the big boost for Arne Slot is that Alexis Mac Allister is back after missing the trip to the north east through injury

The Argentine is crucial to Liverpool’s midfield, which was dominated in the second half at St James’ Park.

Arne Slot makes two changes from the side that dramatically beat Newcastle on Monday. Alexis Mac Allister returns to the starting XI after injury, while Ryan Gravenberch is also restored. Jeremie Frimpong misses out with a hamstring issue.

For Arsenal, Mikel Arteta is without Bukayo Saka after the winger sustained a hamstring problem last week. Kai Havertz (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (ACL) are also unavailable, but Martin Pdegaard is deemed fit enough for the bench after a shoulder scare. Summer signing Eberechi Eze (pictured) is among the substitutes and could make his debut.

That means Noni Madueke starts on the right in place of Saka, with Viktor Gyokeres leading the line and Gabriel Martinelli wide left. Jurrien Timber slots in at right-back, Riccardo Calafiori makes his first Anfield start on the opposite flank, and new midfield recruit Martín Zubimendi partners Declan Rice and Mikel Merino.

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli.

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Mosquera, Odegaard, Eze, Trossard, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Harriman-Annous.

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

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

Welcome to a wet and windy Anfield, where we have our first meeting of two title favourites.

Both games between this pair finished 2-2 last season — but a win for either side here would be a huge statement even as early as week three in the season.

Although, saying that, my prediction is another draw.

Gabriel Martinelli also thrives in this fixture.

The Brazilian has been involved in eight goals in just 10 appearances against Liverpool (six goals, two assists), including four in five trips to Anfield.

Mohamed Salah loves facing Arsenal.

He’s scored 11 Premier League goals against the Gunners.

Only Harry Kane (14) and Wayne Rooney (12) have netted more against them.

Arsenal have not won a league game at Anfield since September 2012, when Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla struck in a 2-0 win.

Mikel Arteta was patrolling midfield that day — he’ll be in the dugout this afternoon trying to end a run of 12 visits without victory.

Good afternoon!

It might only be matchday three, but this feels like a heavyweight title fight.

Liverpool are defending champions, Arsenal the challengers desperate to go one better this season — and both arrive at Anfield with perfect records intact.

Something has to give.