Arsenal vs Liverpool LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Saka wins huge five-goal thriller

Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool: Saka’s late penalty moves Gunners top after visitors had twice equalised

Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool needs to rediscover their 'unpredictability'

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table as Bukayo Saka’s late penalty earned them a vital win over Liverpool, whose struggles continued.

Arsenal made the perfect start as they took the lead after just 58 seconds, with Gabriel Martinelli finishing their first attack following a clever pass from Martin Odegaard.

But Liverpool responded well and were the better side as they found the equaliser through Darwin Nunez, only for Jurgen Klopp’s side to concede on the counter-attack on the stroke of half time as Bukayo Saka finished off a move at the back post.

Roberto Firmino’s excellent finish moved Liverpool level once again but Saka’s late penalty - awarded for a foul on Gabriel Jesus and after some chaotic defending - sealed a huge win as Mikel Arteta’s side hung on for a statement victory at the Emirates.

Reaction from Arsenal vs Liverpool below, with Everton vs Manchester United to follow:

Arsenal vs Liverpool LIVE: Latest updates

• GOAL! Martinelli fires Arsenal in front immediately (1-0)
• GOAL! Nunez equalises to end goal drought as Liverpool improve (1-1)
• GOAL! Saka finishes counter to put Arsenal ahead on stroke of HT (2-1)
• GOAL! Firmino fires Liverpool level again after Arsenal pressure (2-2)
• GOAL! Saka restores Arsenal’s lead again from the penalty spot (3-2)
• FT! Arsenal win five-goal thriller to return top

[9 October 2022 15:12 · Jamie Braidwood]

Arsenal vs Liverpool LIVE: Early team news

A number of those on the fringes of Mikel Arteta’s preferred starting side were afforded an opportunity against Bodo/Glimt in Europa League action, with Eddie Nketiah impressing up front and Rob Holding also scoring. Arteta is likely to stick to the eleven that perfomed so well against Tottenham for their next Premier League fixture, provided Oleksandr Zinchenko’s apparent absence from midweek training was only precautionary.

Predicted line-up

Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

[9 October 2022 15:05 · Jamie Braidwood]

Arsenal vs Liverpool LIVE: Latest updates

Odds

Arsenal win 28/17

Draw 14/5

Liverpool win 48/29

Prediction

Arsenal are high on confidence after their win over Spurs but Liverpool have the players to trouble a defence that still has some frailties. A score draw. Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool

[9 October 2022 15:03 · Jamie Braidwood]

Arsenal vs Liverpool LIVE: Latest updates

Arsenal vs Liverpool is due to kick off at 4.30pm BST on Sunday 9 October at the Emirates Stadium in London.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage due to begin at 4pm BST. Subscribers can stream the game via the Sky Go app.

[9 October 2022 15:00 · Jamie Braidwood]

Arsenal vs Liverpool LIVE: Latest updates

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Arsenal vs Liverpool in the Premier League. The Gunners are flying high in the Premier League table following last weekend’s impressive 3-1 win over Tottenham and Mikel Arteta’s side will sense the opportunity to add to Liverpool’s difficult start.

The Reds have just two wins in the Premier League this season after conceding late on in their 3-3 draw with Brighton last weekend and already sit 13 points behind leaders and last season’s title rivals Manchester City in the table.

With Liverpool faltering, Arsenal could stake their claim as City’s closest challengers this afternoon but Jurgen Klopp will expect a response to kick-start their campaign. Defeat for the Reds, however, could already signal at end to their bid just weeks into the season.