Liverpool and Arsenal greats Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas have offered up their verdicts on this Saturday's meeting between their former clubs.
The Reds have made a strong start to the 2019/20 Premier League campaign after they opened the season with a 4-1 win over Norwich City before edging past Southampton 2-1 on the road last weekend.
Arsenal are the only other team besides Liverpool to hold a 100% record this season after narrow victories over Newcastle United and Burnley.
Whilst the Gunners only conceded one goal in those two opening matches, Arsenal great Nicholas insists that Unai Emery's men have some clear weaknesses at the back.
David Luiz's £8m switch from Chelsea to Arsenal was completed before the summer transfer window deadline and he made his first start for the Gunners against Burnley, but Nicholas believes he could be a weakness at Anfield.
"The team will definitely be positive going into it, but the defensive frailties are still there and with Liverpool playing their front three, they will have pace and menace to deal with," Nicholas, who has predicted a 3-1 win for Liverpool, told Sporting Life.
"The other way to look at it is that it will be a test to see where Arsenal are in relation to the top four. And a huge question on the day will be whether David Luiz will be exposed.
"The start is crucial, especially at Anfield, as Arsenal need to get through the first 20-25 minutes without damage. It is about getting through the first phase of the game and still being in it.
"It also depends on how Unai Emery decides to line up. He may decide to try and block it up, try and stop Liverpool playing, try to keep it compact because of the opposition."
Thompson, meanwhile, has explained why he also believes Liverpool will beat Arsenal 3-1.
"As good as they both are at going forward, it's all about the defenders in this one - Liverpool’s defence will have to be better than they have been so far, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette as lethal a strike partnership as you could find to contend with this weekend," Thompson added.
"It could be pretty awesome once Nicolas Pepe gets up to full speed in the Premier League too. It will be a testing time for the defence, but equally so, Liverpool’s attack against Arsenal’s defence could be the big decider. But it's whoever’s defence performs better. That will be the key.
"I don’t think there has been a great game yet in the first two rounds of the season, so this may be the first one that really clicks into gear and gives us a classic."
