Arsenal vs Liverpool: Carragher points to key weakness before Anfield battle

This weekend, Arsenal and Liverpool renew their fierce rivalry at Anfield. A battle between last season’s top two, this is one of those clashes that feels destined to have major repercussions on the 2025/26 Premier League title race.

Whoever comes out on top will feel they have landed a psychological blow in the race for glory. While both sides will look to lean on their strengths, weaknesses will be ruthlessly exploited.

Liverpool have been busy in the transfer market, signing some of Europe’s finest talent. On paper, they have assembled a super team, but is there a weakness Arsenal can exploit? Jamie Carragher may have unknowingly pointed to one..

Kerkez’s struggles highlighted

“Kerkez has made a really poor start to his Liverpool career,” Carragher said live on Sky Sports.

“He found it really difficult against Bournemouth in the first game, he was a little bit nervous. He was up against Elanga today, not easy, but this isn’t enough.”

Despite being named in the 2024/25 PFA Team of the Year, Milos Kerkez has struggled to replicate that form.

Carragher’s comments followed Liverpool’s fortunate 3–2 win over Newcastle, a match in which the former Bournemouth man was repeatedly exposed, as reported by Rousing the Kop.

None of the left-back’s long passes found their target, and he failed to deliver a single accurate cross. He also made a costly error that led to a goal, prompting Carragher’s frustration with his defensive work:

“You’ve just got to go and head the ball. He’s almost trying to stop the player. That is really, really poor. He’s not the biggest, but you’ve got to jump, you’ve got to challenge in that situation.”