Liverpool v Arsenal: Gunners chase first Anfield league win since 2012 as Saka misses out

Arsenal travel to Anfield on Sunday 1 November to face Liverpool in the standout fixture of Premier League Matchweek 9, with the reigning champions trying to end a long winless run on Merseyside. Kick-off is 4.30pm UK time, which is 12.30am on Monday 2 November in Malaysia (MYT, UTC+8), following the end of British Summer Time last weekend.

Where the two sides stand

Arsenal go into the weekend second in the table on 21 points from eight games (seven wins, one defeat), level on points with Manchester City but behind them on goal difference (+8 against City's +11). Liverpool are fourth on 15 points, six behind the leading pair, after four wins, three draws and one defeat. Brighton sit between them in third on 16 points.

Manchester City host Brighton at the Etihad on Saturday at 3pm UK time (11pm MYT), so Arsenal could kick off at Anfield already knowing whether they need a result to stay level with City at the top.

Form going into Sunday

Liverpool, now managed by Andoni Iraola, have built momentum after a 3-0 home defeat by Manchester City on 11 October. Since then they have won 2-1 at Brentford and 2-0 at home to Brighton in the league, beaten Villarreal 4-3 in the Champions League, and knocked Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup on penalties in midweek after a 1-1 draw.

Arsenal have won three league games in a row - 2-1 against Leeds, 1-0 at Nottingham Forest and 2-0 against Everton - and drew 2-2 away at Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Their week was dented by a Carabao Cup exit on penalties to Fleetwood Town, a tie in which teenager Max Dowman was sent off.

Team news

Liverpool are still without striker Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Conor Bradley (knee), Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) and Giovanni Leoni (knee). Dominik Szoboszlai is working his way back from a hamstring problem and Iraola has described him as close, though previews suggest a start is unlikely. Defender Victor Munoz is a doubt with a knee issue, while Florian Wirtz, who went off against Brighton with an ankle knock, is expected to be available.

Arsenal's biggest blow is the absence of Bukayo Saka, who was injured early in the draw at Bayern on 21 October. Mikel Arteta has said the winger will be out for "weeks", according to The False 9. William Saliba remains sidelined with a back problem, Dowman is suspended after his red card at Fleetwood, and Noni Madueke is a doubt with an ankle problem. Declan Rice, who had a hamstring scare against Everton, has not been ruled out.

The Anfield hoodoo

History is firmly against the visitors. Arsenal have not won a Premier League match at Anfield since a 2-0 victory in September 2012, when Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla scored. Their 13 league visits since then have produced five draws and eight defeats. Arsenal also failed to score in either league meeting with Liverpool last season.

Iraola's own record adds another layer. He has lost only two of his 27 Premier League matches in calendar year 2026, and one of those was against Arsenal while he was still in charge of Bournemouth in January.

How to follow it in Malaysia

The match starts at 12.30am MYT on Monday, so fans in Malaysia and Singapore (also UTC+8) face a late night. Check your local Premier League rights holder's schedule for live coverage, as listings vary by region. The rest of the weekend, in MYT: Chelsea v Manchester United (8.30pm Saturday), Manchester City v Brighton (11pm Saturday) and Newcastle v Everton (4am Tuesday).

Key takeaways

• Liverpool v Arsenal kicks off at 4.30pm UK time on Sunday 1 November, which is 12.30am Monday in Malaysia.
• Arsenal (21 points) are level with leaders Manchester City; Liverpool (15) are six points back in fourth.
• Arsenal have not won a league game at Anfield since 2012, a run of 13 visits without a win.
• Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are out for Arsenal; Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong are among Liverpool's absentees.
• Manchester City play Brighton on Saturday, before Arsenal kick off.

FAQ

Q: What time is Liverpool v Arsenal in Malaysia? A: The match kicks off at 12.30am MYT on Monday 2 November (4.30pm UK time on Sunday 1 November).

Q: When did Arsenal last win a Premier League game at Anfield? A: In September 2012, a 2-0 win with goals from Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla. They have gone 13 league visits without a win since.

Q: Is Bukayo Saka playing against Liverpool? A: No. Saka was injured at Bayern Munich on 21 October and Mikel Arteta expects him to be out for weeks.

Sources: Sports Mole, 101 Great Goals, The False 9, plstats.uk, Live Football On TV