Liverpool preview: Eze from the start, or later?

Morning.

It’s a tough away trip today as we visit Anfield to take on Liverpool. Having won on the opening day at Old Trafford, you’d take the same again today, but I do hope there’s a different performance from us against the reigning Champions. Against United, we never really got a hold of the game in any way, but they don’t have the attacking quality of today’s opposition who will certainly make more of the kinds of opportunities Ruben Amorim’s side had that day.

In terms of team news, we know Bukayo Saka is out, and I think it’ll be Noni Madueke who replaces him on the right. That’s where he’s played most of his career, and it makes sense to play him in his most natural position. Doubts over Martin Odegaard’s fitness have been assuaged by the fact he’s traveled with the squad, and I expect him to start. His absence would have given Mikel Arteta some thinking to do, with Ethan Nwaneri and Mikel Merino both options to come into the side, but it looks as if the captain will be available.

The big question for me today is what do we do with our left-hand side. Riccardo Calafiori has started both Premier League games so far, and done well. However, with Mo Salah to think about, does the manager ask him to rein in his attacking tendencies a bit, or give a start to Myles Lewis-Skelly? I will say, I don’t think there’s a great deal between them when it comes to their defensive prowess. Both players are far more eye-catching when we’re in possession and they get on the ball, and they both can be exposed a bit when the opposition shift the ball quickly to that side of the pitch.

It might depend a bit on who plays on the left of the front three. I guess everybody is itching to see Eberechi Eze get the nod, but in a game away from home against a team as good as this, I just wonder if the new signing might be viewed as a real game changer should we need something in the second half. Arteta can pick one of Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard to do what he knows they can do in attack, and also with the kind of defensive diligence he asks of his wide players. Personally, with Liverpool perhaps a bit unsettled at right-back in the absence of Jeremie Frimpong, and Conor Bradley not quite 100% fit, I’d love to see Eze from the start, but I think I’d understand if he was brought into action at some point later in the game.

It’s far too early in the season to draw any conclusions about Liverpool, but I watched the game against Newcastle on Monday night and I was surprised how much of a struggle they found it against 10 men. Not only did they not create much threat until that late winner, they let in two goals to allow Newcastle back into a game that they really should have won comfortably given the circumstances. There have been questions about them defensively, and I think those are valid, but they’ve also had a week on the training ground to work out some of those kinks.

As we know, going forward they have a lot of talent and a lot of threat, and you underestimate that at your peril. We have built a very solid defensive platform though, so hopefully we can offset some of their strength in that regard. Asked if his side is ready for the big occasions this season, Arteta said:

Yes, I do feel that we are stronger, we are more mature. We went through together a lot of experiences and that’s the preparation that you need. That’s why I’m convinced that we can go to Anfield and get the result that we want.

The timing of today’s game is interesting too. Some would prefer this challenge a little later in the season, and I sort of understand that, but the fact it’s this early means that if things don’t go exactly the way you want, there’s plenty of time to make up for it. For me, better now than April or May when it could essentially be a decider of some kind. Our recent record at Anfield has been pretty decent, but we know from past experience this is a ground where a lot can happen in 90 minutes and we have to be prepared for that. What I would say is that whatever team Arteta picks, we should also have some decent options off the bench to react to whatever game-state we find ourselves in, so fingers crossed we can match result and performance later. Or, if that’s greedy, I’m fine with just result.

As ever we’ll have live blog coverage of the game for you, and all the post-match stuff – including player ratings and reaction – on Arseblog News. If you need something to listen to in the meantime, our preview pod is on Patreon now too.

For now, have a good Sunday, and come on you Gunners!