Liverpool vs Arsenal

1. Core Players & Star Quality

Liverpool 
• Retain world-class core: Salah, Van Dijk, Alisson, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Robertson, Konaté, Gakpo. 
• Salah dominant (29 goals, 18 assists), supported by Gakpo (10 goals, 4 assists), Ekitiké (15 goals, 8 assists). 
• Creative strength: Wirtz (10 goals, 12 assists), Szoboszlai (6 goals, 6 assists). 
• Defensive spine strong with Van Dijk–Konaté, plus new elite GK Mamardashvili (3060 mins). 
• New youth breakout: Rio Ngumoha (17) emerges as creative academy option. 

Arsenal 
• Core: Raya (3420 mins), Saliba (3042 mins), Rice (2833 mins, 4G, 7A). 
• Attacking threats across multiple: Saka (6G, 10A), Martinelli (8G, 4A), Trossard (8G, 7A), Havertz (9G, 3A). 
• Midfield balance with Ødegaard (8A), Merino (7G, 2A), Eze (8G, 8A). 
• Injuries to Saka & Havertz limit full strength but squad remains well-distributed. 

2. Departures Impact

Liverpool 
• Núñez (1123 mins, 5G, 2A) left, reducing forward depth and pressing outlet. 
• Díaz (13G, 5A) and Alexander-Arnold (3G, 6A) also gone → wing creativity reduced. 
• Attacking responsibility shifts more onto Salah, Wirtz, and Gakpo. 

Arsenal 
• No major exits disrupting the core. 
• Biggest issue is injuries rather than departures, especially with Jesus out (ACL). 

3. New Player Integration

Liverpool 
• Wirtz: elite creative midfielder, instant starter. 
• Frimpong: attacking RB (5G, 5A) - injured short-term. 
• Kerkez: 3341 mins at LB, reliability on the flank. 
• Ekitiké: strong secondary scorer (15G, 8A). 
• Rio Ngumoha (17): academy breakthrough, offers youthful flair. 

Arsenal 
• Zubimendi: holding midfielder, stabilises alongside Rice. 
• Eze: high-output creator (8G, 8A). 
• Merino: adds goal threat from midfield (7G, 2A). 
• Gyökeres: striker addition, expected to bring directness. 
• Calafiori, Nørgaard, Mosquera add rotation and defensive reinforcement. 

4. Assists & Goals Output

Liverpool 
• Salah leads (29G, 18A) at world-class level. 
• Gakpo (10G, 4A) and Ekitiké (15G, 8A) strong supporting scorers. 
• Wirtz (10G, 12A) and Szoboszlai (6G, 6A) ensure creative midfield contribution. 
• More concentrated output now after Díaz & Núñez exits. 

Arsenal 
• Balanced threat: Saka (6G, 10A), Martinelli (8G, 4A), Havertz (9G, 3A), Trossard (8G, 7A). 
• Ødegaard and Eze supply assists, while Merino adds secondary scoring. 
• Greater distribution of goals across 5–6 players vs Liverpool’s 3 main scorers. 

5. Substitutes’ Experience & Depth

Liverpool 
• Bench options: Curtis Jones (1715 mins, 3G, 3A), Tsimikas, Bradley, Mamardashvili. 
• Depth weakened by Núñez departure - fewer proven forwards. 
• Rio Ngumoha now among impact substitutes, but inexperienced. 

Arsenal 
• Depth with Madueke (7G, 3A), Nwaneri (4G, 2A), Calafiori, Zinchenko. 
• Gabriel Jesus sidelined, Havertz & Saka doubtful, but still superior bench variety. 
• Substitutes provide both defensive and attacking flexibility. 

6. Forecast & Expected Dynamics

1. Liverpool Advantage: Salah’s elite output, Wirtz creativity, Van Dijk–Konaté defensive axis, and Mamardashvili’s shot-stopping. 

1. Arsenal Advantage: Wider spread of scorers, midfield creativity across multiple players, stronger bench options. 

1. Likely Flow: Liverpool push centrally through Wirtz–Salah link, Arsenal look for wing overloads with Martinelli–Trossard. Midfield battle (Rice–Zubimendi vs Mac Allister–Szoboszlai) will define transitions. 

7. Predicted Strength Balance

• Liverpool: ★★★★☆ - still elite, but attack now narrower after Núñez & Díaz exits; reliance on Salah + Wirtz is very high.
  • Arsenal: ★★★★☆ - equally strong, slightly hindered by Saka/Havertz injuries but with greater balance across scorers.

Projected Result: ⚖️ Draw (1-1 or 2-2) most probable.