When Liverpool faltered earlier this year, Arsenal picked up steam. They went on a run that led to them grabbing first place in the Premier League, a spot they have not relinquished over the past couple of months. The Gunners are riding a five-match win streak in league play, having won seven matches overall dating back to last month.

Up next in the FA Cup, Liverpool will host Barnsley on Monday. Then they return to Premier League action on January 17, also at Anfield, against Burnley. It is FA Cup action next for Mikel Arteta’s side, as they travel to play Championship Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday.

His comments highlight how results in major league matches can shape belief across multiple competitions. For Liverpool, a win would reinforce their credentials despite recent inconsistency. For Arsenal, victory would further strengthen their position at the summit and underline their determination to turn promise into a title-winning campaign.

So far, Ekitiké has represented the best of Liverpool’s record-breaking 2025 summer transfer window, arguably the only signing who can be considered an outright success at this stage. He cost £79 million (106.1 million) to prise away from Eintracht Frankfurt but has repaid that with goals.

Liverpool host Leeds United on Thursday, less than a month since their last meeting at Elland Road. An awful lot has changed in the interim, though. Back on December 6, it appeared as if the wheels had well and truly come off Liverpool's season,

Liverpool has certainly had a roller coaster season thus far. The team had one of the hottest starts in the EPL, but a terrible skid led them to stumble down the table. However, the Reds, despite the Mohamed Salah debacle, have shown the championship pedigree as of late, slowly climbing back up the standings.

Arsenal missed the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points, held to a 0–0 draw by a battling Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.

Arne Slot's side failed to test the Arsenal goalkeeper but this was an impressive performance in the circumstances