Arsenal vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League score and updates as Saka returns to start

Arsenal are pressing pretty high in the opening exchanges, but there’ve been no mistakes from either side so far.

Van Dijk gives away a needless free-kick after Havertz nudges him a couple of times and the Dutchman overreacts. Arsenal will have the chance to deliver a dangerous set-piece.

Rice floats it in but the chance goes begging after another ball into the box runs out of play.

Both sides have had attacks break down due to sloppy passing in the early stages. Alexander-Arnold plays a clever ball forward but Gabriel slides in to hook it away.

Plenty of noise around the Emirates as Arsenal start the game with plenty of the ball.

First free-kick is given early on as Saka bundles over Robertson. It’s a dangerous position for Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold will deliver – he whips it in towards the front post but Trossard heads away.

The away side get us underway here! An intriguing game ahead.

Both teams are in the tunnel now, so we’re moments from kick-off as ‘north London forever’ rings around the Emirates.

Arne Slot has emphasised that this week’s match is “even more difficult than Chelsea at home, and we know how difficult that was.”

“Nobody knows who the biggest competitors will be at this early stage, but Arsenal will be one so winning points against them is important.”

On his team’s strong defensive record, Slot said: “There are two reasons why we don’t concede a lot. Most games we have dominated and controlled, so you have the ball but also during difficult parts [of games] our work rate is incredible to not concede.”

Slot added that playing three away games in a row is “part of our lives and it is what the players are used to”.

“You know these challenges are here and they know how to look after their bodies.”

“There were no expectations from me. I was just thinking about how I was going to try and bring the best out of this team. The expectation was in the way I wanted to see the team play and they are matching that.”

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta said that his side “are so energised and are really looking forward to the game”.

“It is a big match and big opportunity. We love these kind of matches at the Emirates.

“This is the game. We obviously don’t want to be in the situation but we are lucky to have the squad we have and the attitude to react to difficult situations. We don’t feel sorry for ourselves we face it and we know how good we are.”

Arteta added that he wants his players to carry on playing “with dominance and belief” because their “belief, energy and commitment is needed in a big match like this.”