Liverpool have the chance to make it a hat-trick of wins from their first three games of the 2019/20 Premier League season as they welcome Arsenal to Anfield on Saturday. After losing the Community Shield on penalties to Manchester City in early August, the Reds have secured a trio of consecutive victories in all competitions. The UEFA Super Cup was brought home to Merseyside as they defeated Chelsea via a shootout, whilst both Norwich City and Southampton were unable to cope with their ferocious frontline.
Arsenal could also make it three wins form three having collected all three points in matches with Newcastle United and Burnley. The Gunners made heavy investments towards the end of the summer transfer window and their decision to go for broke appears to be paying off.
Jurgen Klopp was rocked by news of an injury to understudy goalkeeper Adrian in the aftermath of the Super Cup victory over the Blues, but the Spaniard recovered to face Southampton last weekend.
First-choice shot-stopper Alisson is still sidelined by a calf strain, however, whilst right-back Nathaniel Clyne continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament rupture in pre-season.
Naby Keita is a doubt for the game with the Gunners, though it is the visitors who have more injuries to account for. Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka are expected to be fit, though the pair will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Nevertheless, the greatest area of concern for Unai Emery is at the back. Defensive quartet Kieran Tierney, Hector Bellerin, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Rob Holding are nursing various problems, with the latter the only one in line for a return this month.
Tierney and Mavropanos both have groin issues, whilst Bellerin has been out of action since February with a serious knee injury. They are all aiming to reach full fitness by October.
Head to Head Record
The Gunners have claimed victory over Liverpool a total of 78 times, whilst the Merseysiders have been triumphant on 87 occasions, the latest coming via a 5-1 humbling at Anfield last term.
Young full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles' early score had Arsenal on course for a first win against the Reds since April 2015, but their hosts came roaring back with a scintillating first-half display.
Roberto Firmino grabbed himself a hat-trick, with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah getting a goal apiece to complete the rout and leave Emery fuming.
The result was a fitting way to end a marvellous 2018 for Klopp and his troops, sending out a clear message to rivals and extending the side's lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points.
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