Liverpool v Arsenal: key stats and talking pointspublished at 12:07 BST 30 August
12:07 BST 30 August
Matthew Hobbs BBC Sport journalist
One of the Premier League's biggest rivalries resumes this weekend when champions Liverpool host last season's runners-up Arsenal. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes as the title rivals prepare to face off.
Will defenders decide this game?
This fixture has seen 78 goals scored in the past 20 games - the most of any Premier League encounter since the start of 2015-16 - but how both teams defend may prove the deciding factor at Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool have scored in 98% of their games under Arne Slot (39/40) - the highest percentage by any manager in Premier League history. However, a revamped backline has looked increasingly vulnerable so far this season.
The Reds had let a two-goal lead slip against 10-man Newcastle on Monday night - until 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha won the game in the 10th minute of stoppage time, and in doing so became the second-youngest player to score on his Premier League debut.
Liverpool have conceded four goals from just six shots on target so far this season, suggesting they are giving up an uncharacteristic number of high-quality chances. Only Leeds have conceded more often per shot on target than Slot's men in 2025-26. It took Liverpool nine league games to concede four goals last term.
Arsenal's threat from corners
While Liverpool are bedding in new arrival Milos Kerkez, and have lost fellow summer signing Jeremie Frimpong to a hamstring injury, Arsenal's settled defence – founded on the formidable centre-half pairing of Gabriel and William Saliba – are yet to concede a goal in two Premier League matches.
The Gunners' rearguard effort at Old Trafford on the opening weekend was crucial to a 1-0 win against Manchester United.
Should Arsenal keep things tight at Anfield, a favoured weapon could be enough to settle the outcome. Mikel Arteta's side have scored 33 goals from corners since the start of 2023-24 - at least 10 more than any other side in the top five European leagues.
The Gunners have also scored from a corner in their past three games and will have done so in four for the first time if they do so again at Anfield.
Image caption,
Arsenal provide the biggest threat from corners in Europe
And while much focus may be on the recruitment of marquee forwards Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike, keep an eye out for Jurrien Timber. The Arsenal full-back has scored two goals and assisted three in his past five Premier League starts.
In the 5-0 win over Leeds, Timber became the first defender to score two goals and get an assist in a Premier League fixture in more than a decade.
Tone shifts on Isak as Newcastle close in on Woltemadepublished at 17:00 BST 29 August
17:00 BST 29 August
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Media caption,
It feels like there has been a shift on Tyneside. In so many ways.
Following so many setbacks in their search for a striker, Nick Woltemade is now having a medical before completing a club record move to Newcastle United.
And it does not sound like Newcastle are finished yet.
The Mapgies remain active in the market and Eddie Howe said on Friday morning that there was an opportunity to "maybe improve the squad further", which pointed to the club at least exploring the possibility of signing an additional centre-forward.
Whereas the prospect of Newcastle landing one striker once felt like a real challenge going into the final days of the window, now - suddenly - the club have momentum.
That could, in turn, have a knock-on effect on the Alexander Isak saga.
It was just last week that Newcastle did not envisage the "conditions of sale being met" to allow Isak to join Liverpool – namely recruiting two quality strikers and the champions returning to make an improved bid to actually give the club a decision to make.
But could that now change?
Howe reiterated that Isak could still be reintegrated, but the Newcastle head coach's tone surrounding the striker was noticeably different on Friday as he said "you can't just be oblivious to things that have happened" in reference to the Sweden international's conduct.
One way or another, this is going to be a frantic end to the window.
Slot on Mac Allister's fitness, Wirtz and having 'room' for Ngumohapublished at 13:14 BST 29 August
13:14 BST 29 August
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Anfield (16:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Slot confirmed he has no new injury concerns before the visit of the Gunners. Conor Bradley has trained the whole week after making his first appearance of the season as a substitute against Newcastle and Alexis Mac Allister has also trained and is available after missing the the trip to St James' Park. Virgil van Dijk is "OK" after the tackle that saw Anthony Gordon sent off.
When asked if the Magpies' reported signings of Nick Woltemade could open the door for a move for Alexander Isak, Slot said: "If Newcastle sign a new number nine its very nice for Eddie because Gordon is suspended and Isak has not been training with the team."
Asked if the Reds could make more additions before Monday's deadline, Slot offered: "We try to sign players that can help but there's no reason after the first two games to complain or to think we need more. If we can strengthen we will always try to do this if it is the right money and the right player."
On the challenge posed by the Gunners: "Including Bilbao (pre-season friendly) we have conceded four goals from set-pieces and we are facing a team who's strength is set-pieces. The playing style of Arsenal has not changed a lot with the new signings coming in. A different number nine this season. I see a lot of similarities between their team last season in terms of style."
On not dropping points to a title rival: "I would be surprised if there will be a points record and a team gets more than 100 points because of the strength in the league. So you are able to drop a few points and still be competitive. But the best thing is not to drop points."
Slot is happy with the impact made so far by summer signing Hugo Ekitike who has scored three goals in three games. He said: "He has made a big impact on our attacking, not just scoring goals but starting attacks. That is a bit more than last season. The most simple answer to what he can improve is his match fitness. So I expect him to do a lot more off the ball."
On Florian Wirtz, who was quiet against Newcastle: "We only had 40% ball in play against Newcastle so for them to have a lot of touches is quite hard and when the ball was in play it was in the air. It is not the first time we have played this playing style and we know we can do better."
Slot said youngster Rio Ngumoha has a "fair chance of playing" on Sunday: "It is the beauty of football that although we have spent a lot there is still room for him and he can show his quality. As things stand there is still room for him to show that in the upcoming game as well."
Gossip: Liverpool considering Guehi bidpublished at 07:27 BST 29 August
07:27 BST 29 August
Liverpool are considering a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, 25, with the Eagles valuing the England defender at £45m ahead of Monday's deadline. (Express), external
Who got the luck of the Champions League draw?published at 19:26 BST 28 August
19:26 BST 28 August
Chris Collinson BBC Sport statistician
Based on the average Uefa coefficient of their opponents, PSV Eindhoven have been handed the toughest draw in the league phase. Not only do they face the champions of England, Germany and Italy – Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Napoli – but they will also play two of the top three seeds from Pot 2 in Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid.
Manchester City and Liverpool have also been given a fairly tough gauntlet of games, with both sides drawn against 15-time winners Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola's side will also play Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli as well as two of the top seeds from Pot 4 in Galatasaray and Monaco. Arne Slot's side will play last year's finalists Inter and Atletico Madrid.
Atalanta will likely be the happiest club following the draw after being given the most favourable fixtures. While they do have to face champions Paris St-Germain and Club World Cup champions Chelsea, they were also drawn against the two lowest seeds in Pot 2 – Eintracht Frankfurt and Club Brugge – as well as two of the three lowest seeds in Pot 3 in Slavia Prague and Marseille.
Both north London clubs should also be fairly happy with the draw. While they do have to play Bayern Munich, Inter and Atletico Madrid, Arsenal were otherwise drawn against low-seeded teams in Pots 2, 3 and 4, including Celtic's Kazakh conquerors Kairat Almaty. Tottenham also received favourable draws in terms of opponents from Pots 2 and 3, avoiding the likes of Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid and Napoli.
Liverpool 'will have to do it the hard way'published at 18:33 BST 28 August
18:33 BST 28 August
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
If Liverpool are to make the knockout stages of the Champions League this season, then they will have to do it the hard way.
Both Madrid clubs, last season's beaten finalists and a trip to the cauldron that is Galatasaray.
Real Madrid - managed by former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso - is the most eye-catching tie for the Premier League champions, while the visit of Atletico Madrid will pose an altogether different challenge for Arne Slot's team.
Summer signing Hugo Ekitike will return to his former club Eintracht Frankfurt which will be a huge occasion for the French striker, while Slot will head back to Holland where his team face Feyenoord.
Marseille and Qarabag will not fill Liverpool with huge dread.
Liverpool learn Champions League opponentspublished at 17:50 BST 28 August
17:50 BST 28 August
Image source, Getty Images
Liverpool's Champions League draw is complete and Arne Slot's side now know which eight clubs they will meet in the 36-team league format, which was used for the first time last season.
The Champions League fixture list with match dates and kick-off times will be published no later than Saturday, 30 August.
The Reds will face:
Real Madrid (h),
Inter Milan (a)
Atletico Madrid (h)
Eintracht Frankfurt (a)
PSV Eindhoven (h)
Marseille (a)
Qarabag (h)
Galatasaray (a)
Champions League group phase dates:
Matchday 1: 16–18 September 2025
Matchday 2: 30 September–1 October 2025
Matchday 3: 21-22 October 2025
Matchday 4: 4-5 November 2025
Matchday 5: 2-26 November 2025
Matchday 6: 9-10 December 2025
Matchday 7: 20-21 January 2026
Matchday 8: 28 January 2026
Champions League knockout stage dates:
Knockout phase play-offs: 17-18 and 24-25 February 2026
Watch and follow Champions League draw livepublished at 16:49 BST 28 August
16:49 BST 28 August
Image source, Getty Images
There are six Premier League teams in this season's Champions League.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Tottenham are about to find out who they will face in the league phase of the 2025-26 competition.
Forest Green sign midfielder Balagizi on loanpublished at 11:48 BST 28 August
11:48 BST 28 August
Image source, Forest Green Rovers FC
Forest Green Rovers have signed midfielder James Balagizi on a season-long loan from Liverpool.
The 21-year-old, who has been with the Premier League champions since the age of 11, has had previous spells on loan with Wigan, Crawley and Kilmarnock and Forest Green say he can play across the midfield.
When is the Champions League draw and how does it work?published at 18:32 BST 27 August
18:32 BST 27 August
The draw for the league phase of the 2025-26 Champions League will take place on Thursday in Monaco.
It will start at 17:00 BST and will follow the same procedure as the 2024-25 campaign - the first season where the 36-team league phase format took place.
The draw is made up of 27 teams that qualified via league positions, the winners of last season's Champions League and Europa League, and the seven teams that progressed out of qualifying.
This season, there are six English sides involved - Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle courtesy of finishing in the Premier League top five, and Tottenham after winning the Europa League.
The teams are split into four pots based on their individual Uefa club coefficient ranking.
Starting with pot one, each team will be drawn out individually. They will then be selected eight opponents via Uefa's automated software.
A team will play eight games in total, including two teams from each pot - one home and one away.
No group-stage fixtures can be played against teams from the same country, nor more than two against teams from the another country.
This procedure will continue until the fixtures for all 36 teams have been decided.
The Champions League fixture list with match dates and kick-off times will be published no later than Saturday, 30 August.
This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.
'Criminal consequences' required for racism in stadiums - PFA Chiefpublished at 15:04 BST 27 August
15:04 BST 27 August
Image source, Getty Images
Professional Footballers Association's chief executive Maheta Molango says consequences for racist abuse in football stadiums must "go beyond" the protocols in place to deal with such incidents.
The opening game of the Premier League season between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield was stopped for several minutes after Antoine Semenyo reported being racial abused by a supporter.
The man accused was arrested on suspicion of racial abuse and has since been handed a stadium ban. However, Molango believes criminal prosecution must follow for offenders.
"We are tired of talking about it but unfortunately racism is a societal issue and football – at times – is a reflection of society and we still live in a society where these things happen," he told BBC senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel.
"What is important is that people understand this is a criminal offence not because we just go to a stadium that it becomes something 'you can just do'.
"Its important measures are taken. Not from just a football perspective but a criminal perspective so people know where the line is - we need to be strong about that.
"There are protocols in place, we are glad to see that the player knew what to do in that situation and actioned them (the protocols).
"We need to go beyond that. We need to make sure whoever is participating in those kinds of acts face real consequences and those are criminal consequences."
Gossip: Isak reiterates desire to join Liverpoolpublished at 08:03 BST 27 August
08:03 BST 27 August
Sweden striker Alexander Isak, 25, has told Newcastle he still wants to leave for Liverpool despite the intervention of club chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and a meeting with co-owner Jamie Reuben. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)
Isak's future could determine whether Liverpool and Newcastle make a move for Juventus' 25-year-old Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic. (Teamtalk, external)
Liverpool midfielder James McConnell, 20, is set to join Ajax on loan for the 2025-26 season after the England Under-20 international signed a new five-year contract at the club. (Athletic - subscription required, external)
'Let him grow slowly' - Barnespublished at 17:26 BST 26 August
17:26 BST 26 August
Media caption,
Liverpool legend John Barnes says it has been "a fantastic rise" for Rio Ngumoha after he scored the winning goal against Newcastle on Monday.
Ngumoha is now the fourth youngest player to score in a Premier League fixture and Barnes expressed his delight about the youngster's progress, telling BBC Sport: "It's been a fantastic rise for him in terms of what he did in pre-season and now coming on to score the winner, (showing) great composure in terms of the finish. So I'm pleased for him."
Barnes was asked if the teenager could become a future England senior international and said: "Absolutely, but let him grow slowly. We remember Theo Walcott, he was the same at 16. Let's not put too much expectation on him, and Liverpool will handle him well.
"He's not going to be a starter for Liverpool anytime soon. But to involve him in the squad, keep his feet on the ground, let him grow slowly, he's at the right club for that because Liverpool know how to handle their youngsters."
Ngumoha's winner made him Liverpool's youngest-ever Premier League scorer at 16 years and 361 days old.
Another former Liverpool striker John Aldridge spoke of his delight about Ngumoha's impressive pre-season performances and the "huge" future he has ahead of him.
Aldridge told BBC Sport: "I have been watching him since we got him from Chelsea. He has got so much ability it's frightening."
'Colossus' - what would Shankly label Van Dijk?published at 17:12 BST 26 August
17:12 BST 26 August
Luke Reddy BBC Sport senior journalist
Moments after Liverpool's late triumph at Newcastle - thanks in no small part to a 16-year-old tasting the big time for the first time - one of the Reds' elder statesmen was getting praise from pockets of the fanbase.
The Anfield Wrap's John Gibbons simply wrote on X: "Best game Virgil has ever played for us."
The Daily Mail's Oliver Holt posted: "Van Dijk man of the match by a distance tonight. Colossus."
Football journalist Henry Winter pointed to "the immense Van Dijk".
On a night when his side held a numerical advantage for over half the fixture, Van Dijk used every fragment of his experience and leadership to haul a much-tested backline towards the finish.
He made 13 clearances under the fire of the Newcastle onslaught - more than anyone else. There were 10 headed clearances - the highest on the pitch.
In addition to the rear-guard, Van Dijk visibly beckoned Liverpool to pass more, to absorb the sting of the occasion more effectively. He completed 54 passes on the night - the highest on the pitch - and in doing so, often slowed the tempo at moments when it was called for.
So far this season, Van Dijk has completed more clearances and headed more balls away than any other defender in the Premier League.
He is 34 - the so-called twilight years of a career surround him while he holds together a creaking defensive line. How badly it might creak without him is unimaginable. Perhaps most pleasing for Liverpool fans might be that he appears to have lost none of the thirst for glory that last season's title might have quenched.
Newcastle's spirited siege might have enhanced the desire for an extra defensive option at Anfield, and Marc Guehi's name is never too far from mouths.
So far this season he has completed eight clearances and five headed clearances - around 25% of Van Dijk's output generally.
Guehi would, of course, bring other qualities. But Van Dijk stands head and shoulders above team-mates and peers, and would most likely drag the Crystal Palace defender to another level - as he has done for others in the past.
Bill Shankly famously called Ron Yeats "The Colossus".
After a night on the Tyne of heading, leading and winning, one wonders what term the Scot would conjure for Van Dijk.
Image source, Getty Images
