Team news
Alexis Mac Allister returned in place of Curtis Jones in Liverpool’s only change from the win at Newcastle United.
Liverpool: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate (Gomez, 78), Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister (Jones, 62), Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike (Chiesa, 78), Gravenberch.
Unused subs: Mamardashvili, Endo, Bradley, Elliott, Robertson, Ngumoha.
First half
William Saliba was forced off due to injury in an early blow for Arsenal and the game’s first sight of goal was Liverpool’s.
Ryan Gravenberch accelerated matters by moving through the gears in midfield before picking out Cody Gakpo, who drove inside and shot wide from outside the penalty area.
The opening stages were cagey and set-pieces were Arsenal’s main attacking outlet, with Alisson Becker called into action to turn a Noni Madueke hit away following Declan Rice’s corner.
Both teams were baiting their opponents’ press by playing out from the back and the champions’ best chance of the half came from a risky David Raya pass.
Virgil van Dijk read Raya’s intention and outmuscled Martin Zubimendi to win back possession before trying to feed Mohamed Salah in the box. The loose ball was Mac Allister’s, but the No.10’s effort was blocked.
At the other end, Milos Kerkez and Van Dijk defended well to thwart Madueke and Jurrien Timber and the half ended goalless.
