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As it happenedended1534093000

Arsenal vs Manchester City - as it happened: Unai Emery's new era gets off to disappointing start

Re-live all the action from the Emirates

Michael Jones
Sunday 12 August 2018 17:56 BST
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Arsenal 2018/19 Premier League profile

Arsenal host Manchester City at The Emirates this afternoon in the first competitive game of the Unai Emery era.

And yet on the pitch, Arsenal retain a very familiar look. New signings Bernd Leno and Lucas Torreria have both been left on the bench, with Petr Cech and Granit Xhaka preferred. There is however a debut for French teenager Mattéo Guendouzi.

There is also a start for Manchester City’s record signing Riyad Mahrez, as Pep Guardiola looks to begin the club’s title defence on a winning note. City are certainly favourites after strolling to a comfortable 3-0 victory in this corresponding fixture last season.

Stick with us for live coverage from north London.

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load.

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Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's Premier League encounter between Liverpool and West Ham.

We'll be bringing you minute-by-minute updates from Anfield as well as analysis and key talking points. Make sure to stay tuned!

Team news next!

Samuel Lovett12 August 2018 12:32
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Liverpool team news:

Samuel Lovett12 August 2018 12:33
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West Ham team news:

Samuel Lovett12 August 2018 12:33
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A number of notable absentees from Klopp's starting line-up. Dejan Lovren hasn't even been included in the match-day squad as he continues his recovery from the World Cup while Jordan Henderson starts on the bench - as does Fabinho. A first competitive start for Naby Keita, though, who will be eager to make a lasting first impression.

Samuel Lovett12 August 2018 12:44
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  ↵Ahead of kick-off, why not get stuck into this epic long-read from Simon Hughes on Liverpool's recent progress both on and off the pitch:

Samuel Lovett12 August 2018 12:46
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Liverpool's main man Mo Salah had a rather lacklustre World Cup, but now he's back in familiar surroundings how will he fair today?

Michael Jones12 August 2018 13:14
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A quick look now at the head to head between the two teams:

Liverpool have won the last three league meetings, scoring four goals on each occasion and West Ham have only recorded one win at Anfield in their last 45 top flight attempts.

Which doesn't look set to change as Liverpool were unbeaten at Anfield last season in the league (W12, D7), scoring 45 goals and conceding just 10.

Michael Jones12 August 2018 13:20
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We're just minutes away from kick-off at Anfield, a Liverpool victory seems the likeliest of outcomes but how many will they score?

A Firmino hat-trick with Salah assisting all three would do wonders for my fantasy team.

Michael Jones12 August 2018 13:27
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KICK OFF: Liverpool 0 - 0 West Ham

Liverpool get us underway and immediately win a throw in deep in West Ham's half, they play an early ball into the box but Mane can't quite reach it

Michael Jones12 August 2018 13:31
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4 mins: Liverpool 0 - 0 West Ham

Liverpool press again, the ball comes out to Alexander-Arnold but West Ham defend with a high line, just on the edge of the penalty area and the cross is too long and too deep.

Michael Jones12 August 2018 13:35

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