Liverpool and Arsenal step up their preparations for the 2024-25 season on Wednesday as third and second from last term's Premier League face off in Philadelphia. These two figure to be Manchester City's nearest rivals too and have made a solid start to their time in the U.S., the Gunners beating Manchester United in Los Angeles while their opponents won 1-0 against Real Betis in Pittsburgh.
This match will offer new Liverpool boss Arne Slot a first look at top-level Premier League opposition since he was appointed as the successor to Jurgen Klopp last summer and the Dutchman will be looking to prove his side can close the gap against a side that has not lost any of the last four league meetings with the Reds.
If there is a sense that Slot's appointment means it is rebuild time at Anfield that is not true for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. It is all systems go as this burgeoning young side bids to prove that the third time is the charm in their title race. Both the manager and his players have spoken about the importance of a fast start as they bid to chase down Manchester City; they looked to already be motoring when they beat United, a win against Liverpool would add jet fuel to Arsenal's early season drive. Here is how you can watch the match and what you need to know:
Viewing information
- Date: Wednesday, July 31 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field - Philadelphia
- Watch: ESPN | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: Liverpool +150; Draw +230; Arsenal +150
Team news
Liverpool: The last Premier League club yet to make a signing this season, for the time being, Slot is waiting on the arrival of the many players in his squad who went deep into the Copa America and the Euros. Even those whose involvement was more fleeting have not been able to feature. Andrew Robertson has joined up with the squad stateside but will not feature until Liverpool return to Merseyside after suffering an injury with Scotland. Curtis Jones also limped out against Real Betis and may not be risked.
Slot still seems to be testing out his options in terms of system and personnel and deployed something akin to a pair of 10s leading the line in their US opener with Harvey Elliott and Dominik Szoboszlai the nearest his side had to center forwards. That may yet continue given that Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez are not yet back with the squad.
Possible Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Bradley, Quansah, Van den Berg, Tsimikas; Endo, Bajcetic; Elliott, Szoboszlai; Salah, Carvalho
Arsenal: New signing Riccardo Calafiori joined up with his teammates for a first training session on Monday and will hope to feature in some capacity at Lincoln Financial Field, where the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes could come into the XI. Euro 2024 finalists Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya are among those who have not yet joined up with the squad.
The makeup of the squad now opens up some intriguing subplots. Will the impressive young Ethan Nwaneri remain in the starting XI and if Havertz comes in does he feature through the middle with Jesus out wide? What then of Fabio Vieira? Already there are options aplenty for Arteta.
Possible Arsenal XI: Hein; White, Timber, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Odegaard, Vieira; Jesus, Havertz, Martinelli
Prediction
Arsenal might just have enough senior players back to get the win this time out. Pick: Liverpool 1, Arsenal 2
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