Analysis: Where Liverpool v Arsenal will be won and lost

Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics and where matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 3.

We are still August, so it feels way too early to talk about ‘‘title-defining matches’’ but Liverpool’s encounter at home to Arsenal has to fall into that bracket.

A classic top-end six-pointer, all eyes will be on events at Anfield this Sunday afternoon when last season’s top two will go head-to-head.

Key battle: Gyokeres v Konate

Viktor Gyokeres has had a weight lifted off his shoulders after netting twice against Leeds United last weekend, so do not be surprised if he makes a big impression at Anfield.

At former club Sporting, the powerful Swede made a habit of surging down the left-wing before chopping inside to shoot, and he replicated that exact move superbly to score against Leeds. 

Gyokeres' movement and finish v Leeds

He has two reasons to target Liverpool in this area as often as possible on Sunday.

Firstly, Arne Slot may opt to use his third right-back in as many matches having deployed Jeremie Frimpong (now injured) and Dominik Szoboszlai there so far.

Gyokeres will try to take advantage of a possible lack of cohesion, with Liverpool still lacking rhythm down their right side.

He will also be aware that right-sided central defender Ibrahima Konate has looked unusually shaky, and out of sorts in the opening two matches.

Konate has not looked himself when put under pressure and has made a string of errors this season.

So, look out for Arsenal trying to recreate situations like this one produced by AFC Bournemouth at Anfield, with Gyokeres running off Konate down that side.

Arsenal’s left-back dilemma

Mohamed Salah has been a serious thorn in Arsenal’s side, scoring 11 goals against them in his career so far.

So, in this encounter, Mikel Arteta has a big decision to make over how he deploys his left-back at Anfield.

One of the biggest tactical plus points for him this season has been Riccardo Calafiori’s adventurous, unpredictable attacking play from that position, regularly catching opponents off guard with enterprising movement.

His dashing style creates just the kind of chaos that frees up space for team-mates.

Yet that strength could also be a weakness in this fixture, as Salah will stay high and wide in readiness for receiving the ball on fast transitions.

Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo enjoyed lots of space from turnovers when Calafiori was caught ahead of the ball at Old Trafford, so is Arteta prepared to let him run free again?

Or will he be asked to select his forays forward a little more carefully?

Gabriel Magalhaes’ presence on the cover down that wing will provide a level of assurance, but the left-back’s positioning will be a delicate balancing act throughout the game.

Arteta could start Myles Lewis-Skelly in that role instead, but he does drift into central midfield, which creates the same issues.

Memories will be fresh from the 2-2 draw at Emirates Stadium last season when Lewis-Skelly was stranded ahead of the ball on a turnover, with Salah exploiting that space brilliantly to score an equaliser. 

It is unlikely Calafiori will curb his bold style completely (and nor should he) so when he is inside Liverpool territory, Arsenal must look after the ball carefully.

If they lose it cheaply and he is out of position, we know Salah has the talent to punish Arsenal.

Liverpool's new signings have added fluidity

Hugo Ekitike has hit the ground running as the spearhead of Slot’s outstanding front four having scored in his first two league matches and in the Community Shield.

Aside from his composed finishing, it is the forward’s varied movement which has added most to Liverpool’s attack.

His ability for dropping into midfield, with Florian Wirtz making runs beyond him, must be handled better by Arsenal than Bournemouth and Newcastle United managed.

Here, you see him link play with Alexis Mac Allister, dragging Cherries defender Bafode Diakite into midfield.

Wirtz made an angled run that took a marker with him at the same time, creating an avenue for Ekitike to dribble into, and he scored from that run.

Ekitike's movement and finish v Bournemouth

On Monday evening at St James’ Park, Ekitike’s desire to drop into midfield also caused confusion ahead of Liverpool's second goal.

Ekitike took up a clever position that made Dan Burn think twice about following him into midfield, which then led to the Newcastle defender being distracted by Wirtz’s forward run to his left.

This afforded Ekitike the time to turn away and carry the ball upfield. Seconds later he had found the back of the net.

Either of Arsenal’s central defenders will follow him deep, but Arteta will demand that they get tight and aggressive with him.

The other centre-back or a midfielder must ensure they track Wirtz when he fills the spaces which are vacated.

Isolating Kerkez at the far post

It has not been a brilliant start in Liverpool colours for new left-back Milos Kerkez.

He was given a tough time by Antoine Semenyo on the opening night, and he did not defend well at the far post against Newcastle either.

Arsenal may look at how uncomfortable the Hungarian has looked when crosses from the other wing have been flashed across the face of goal.

The Gunners would have liked Bukayo Saka to pressurise him at the far post, as his positioning has been poor (see above) so the responsibility will now likely fall to Noni Madueke or a midfielder that makes a run into that area. 

Trying to overload Kerkez in 2v1s will potentially form part of Arteta’s game plan.

Where will Eze fit in?

Arsenal are gradually moving away from a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 this season, with their No 10 operating more centrally.

If Martin Odegaard is not passed fit to start, it is likely Eberechi Eze will make his debut in that position, with Gabriel Martinelli on the left.

In possession he will fit in seamlessly there, but Eze will have to adapt to Arsenal’s pressing style, which is more intense than he was accustomed to at Crystal Palace.

Should Arteta be worried about a lack of coordination in that press (seeing as it is his first game) it may lead to Arsenal adopting more of a conservative mid-pitch block instead.

It is widely expected that Eze will be used more often in a hybrid left-wing/attacking midfield role, so this is where he will feature if Odegaard plays.

He shone there for Palace, and as you can see on this goals and assists graphic, Eze has enjoyed plenty of success by popping up in those all-important central zones.

When Eze floats inside he will undoubtedly ask questions of Liverpool’s right-back and defensive midfielders. How quickly they get tight to him, will determine his influence.

His experience shining for a counter-attacking outfit should also stand him in good stead when Arsenal launch their fast breaks at Anfield.

So there is an outlook of some areas to keep an eye on, but there are great battlegrounds everywhere you look across the pitch.

These are two excellent sides, and their tactical battle will make fascinating viewing.