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Liverpool v Arsenal team news: Martinelli starts, Odegaard + Eze subs

31 August 2025 567 comments
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Liverpool take on Arsenal in the penultimate Premier League fixture before the international break.

Both teams have won their first two matches, but defensive frailties remain for the Reds, having allowed four goals against Bournemouth and Newcastle United.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are yet to concede this season.

Kick-off at Anfield is at 16:30 BST.

TEAM NEWS

Arne Slot makes one change from Monday’s 3-2 win over Newcastle United, with Alexis Mac Allister coming in for Curtis Jones, who drops to the bench.

Dominik Szoboszlai continues at right-back.

As for Arsenal, Eberechi Eze is named among the substitutes following his £60m move from Crystal Palace.

Gabriel Martinelli replaces the injured Bukayo Saka, while Martin Odegaard is only fit enough for bench duties.

Mikel Merino comes into central midfield as a result.

LINE-UPS

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike

Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Bradley, Chiesa, Jones, Elliott, Robertson, Nguhoma

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Merino, Rice, Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres

Subs: Kepa, Mosquera, Odegaard, Eze, Trossard, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, Dowman, Harriman-Annous

567 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 13 days ago

    The past few seasons I’ve used WC on first international break to build up team value and be responsive to injuries, but not sure this year. Anyone WC for this reason?

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    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      I have in the past. Dont think I will this year. Team below.

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    2. adstomko
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      Potentially yes.
      I think it could be massively beneficial in the long term, especially when second wildcard is activated and bringing in new players

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    3. NoOneCares
        3 months, 13 days ago

        I am WC as transfer window closed and might get lucky with some 0.1 gains. Probably only changing 4/5 from my original team.

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      • Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        You never get much team value during the IB
        No one double rises

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    4. FPL Blow-In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      People ridding themselves of Salah before Burnley! United scored 3

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      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        I am bringing him in.

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      2. Pedersen
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Haaland playing ManU. That must be the best fixture all season..

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        1. x.jim.x
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          2 losses and 2 draws in the last 4 games against us but keep on memeing

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    5. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      Set up ok?

      Sels
      DeCuyper VDV Rodon
      Salah Gakpo Johnson Sarr Reijnders
      Haaland Watkins

      Dubravka Gulu Diouf Esteve

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      1. Dreaming of glory
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Not liking sels, forrest definitely not the same team. Would maybe lose and upgrade a diff def

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        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Giving him a few more games. Will transfer out when I wildcard. Dont want to use transfer on a keeper.

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        2. Bushwhacker
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Bit of a one off today IMHO ; but could revolve around Nuno still being there post break.

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      2. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Needs Chelsea badly

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        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Agree. One more game for Watkins maybe. Makes way for Pedro.

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    6. Halftime
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 13 days ago

      Will Johnson keep his place for Spurs? They have some good fixtures coming up

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      1. NoOneCares
          3 months, 13 days ago

          He is a terrible pick and should be ignored.

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      2. Dreaming of glory
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        WC or a -4???

        -4 would be
        Anderson > grealish
        Reece james > sensi

        Wc would be the above plus
        Kelleher > raya
        Aina > timber
        Dongo > king

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        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Wont WC for three changes

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        2. Scapegoat Salah
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          -4 surely

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      3. Glasner Ball
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Shame that Martinez is not playing. Normally always means a goal fest for us.

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      4. AC Pilkington
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Do you think Elanga starts next game?

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        1. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          No

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      5. g40steve
        • 7 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Will Bizot stay number 1 if Martinez goes to United?

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        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Yes

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          1. g40steve
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Nice, just need the Isak transfer train to start & dominos fall into place

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      6. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Bus team for next GW, no need to WC or FH right?

        Sels
        Gabriel Cucurella Porro
        Palmer Gakpo Kudus KDH
        Haaland JP Wood

        Verbruggen Reijinders VDV Dorgu

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        1. Mother Farke
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Play Reijnders over Wood?

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          1. Miguel Sanchez
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 13 days ago

            Could do yes

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      7. Dynamic Duos
        • 12 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Guiu to Mateta or Ekitike?

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      8. Bushwhacker
        • 6 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        Aaaaand Arteta goes with “injuries” to blame the loss. Do we need another billion Mikel?

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      9. Snoop Udogie Dogg
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        In essence, fantasy football is a waiting game, and I can't wait!

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        1. Bushwhacker
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 13 days ago

          Waiting for people to stop paying attention so rank increases!

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      10. CoracAld2831
        • 4 Years
        3 months, 13 days ago

        At least Mateta delivers, hopefully Watkins will too.

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