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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
    10 months, 21 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
      10 months, 21 days ago

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

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    2. adstomko
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 21 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
      10 months, 20 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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    4. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 months, 20 days ago

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

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  2. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 months, 20 days ago

    People ridding themselves of Salah before Burnley! United scored 3

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    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 20 days ago

      I am bringing him in.

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    2. Pedersen
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 20 days ago

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

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      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        10 months, 20 days ago

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

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  3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 20 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
      • 10 Years
      10 months, 20 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
        10 months, 20 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
        • 7 Years
        10 months, 20 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
      • 8 Years
      10 months, 20 days ago

      Needs Chelsea badly

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      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 20 days ago

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

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  4. Halftime
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 20 days ago

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

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    1. NoOneCares
      10 months, 20 days ago

      He is a terrible pick and should be ignored.

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  5. Dreaming of glory
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 20 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
      10 months, 20 days ago

      Wont WC for three changes

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    2. KAPTAIN KANE SERVES THE PAI…
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 20 days ago

      -4 surely

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  6. Hughes Your Daddy
    • 14 Years
    10 months, 20 days ago

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

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  7. AC Pilkington
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 months, 20 days ago

    Do you think Elanga starts next game?

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    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 20 days ago

      No

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  8. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    10 months, 20 days ago

    Will Bizot stay number 1 if Martinez goes to United?

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    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      10 months, 20 days ago

      Yes

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      1. g40steve
        • 8 Years
        10 months, 20 days ago

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

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  9. Miguel Sanchez
    • 9 Years
    10 months, 20 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
      • 2 Years
      10 months, 20 days ago

      Play Reijnders over Wood?

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      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 9 Years
        10 months, 20 days ago

        Could do yes

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  10. Dynamic Duos
    • 12 Years
    10 months, 20 days ago

    Guiu to Mateta or Ekitike?

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  11. Bushwhacker
    • 7 Years
    10 months, 20 days ago

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

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  12. Snoop Udogie Dogg
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 20 days ago

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

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    1. Bushwhacker
      • 7 Years
      10 months, 20 days ago

      Waiting for people to stop paying attention so rank increases!

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  13. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    10 months, 20 days ago

    At least Mateta delivers, hopefully Watkins will too.

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