Eberechi Eze’s Glamorous Debut at Anfield: Between Hope and Threat

Parimatch News Indonesia – The Liverpool vs Arsenal clash at Anfield this weekend is seen as one of the crucial turning points in the Premier League title race this season. Both teams have started the campaign perfectly, collecting early wins after making major investments in the summer transfer window (The Guardian, 11/08).

Eberechi Eze. The English attacking midfielder of Nigerian descent was signed from Crystal Palace for £68 million (FourFourTwo, 08/25). The absence of Bukayo Saka has opened the door for Eberechi Eze to start from the first minute at one of Europe’s most intimidating stadiums, Anfield.

So, will Eberechi Eze’s debut become a glamorous tale that marks the rise of Arsenal’s new star, or a nightmare as he falls into the trap of Slot’s pressing tactics? (The Scottish Sun, 08/25).

Eberechi Eze has become a symbol of this philosophy. He is not just a replacement for Saka, but an added layer of creativity in attack. With silky dribbling, the ability to cut in from the left wing, and a mature vision of play, Eze offers a new variation in Arteta’s system.

Eberechi Eze arrives with a big reputation. Last season with Crystal Palace, he was the heartbeat of the team with consistent goal and assist contributions (Reuters, 23/08). Eze is also known for his positional flexibility: he can play as an attacking midfielder, left winger, or even a second striker.

Club & Individual Achievements with Crystal Palace

Eberechi Eze left a deep legacy during his six seasons with Crystal Palace before moving to Arsenal. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder played 169 matches and scored 40 goals, including an outstanding 2024/25 campaign with 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions (The Guardian, 23/08).

Eze scored the decisive goal in the FA Cup final.

His most historic contribution came in the 2025 FA Cup Final, when Eze scored the only goal in a victory against Manchester City, delivering Palace their first-ever trophy (Wikipedia, 05/2025). Not stopping there, he also helped the team add silverware by winning the 2025/26 Community Shield (Wikipedia, 08/2025).

More than 150 appearances & 40 goals.

Throughout his Premier League career, Eze has recorded 31 goals and 23 assists in 143 appearances, making him one of Palace’s most productive players ever (Soccerbase, 2025).

Eze won the 2019/20 Player of the Year award.

Beyond collective titles, he also collected a number of individual honors, from Goal of the Month to being hailed as a South London icon for his impact on and off the pitch (CPFC, 2022). Former manager Alan Pardew even compared Eberechi Eze’s creativity and style of play to Dutch legend Johan Cruyff (TalkSport, 2023). No wonder his £68 million move to Arsenal was seen as a natural step for a player who had elevated Palace to new historic heights.

However, making his debut at Anfield with Arsenal presents a completely different challenge. The stadium’s atmosphere is notorious for psychologically overwhelming opponents, especially newcomers. Liverpool’s passionate support often unsettles rivals, particularly when the home side presses high (The Guardian, 11/08).

Eberechi Eze has a big chance to make a dream debut with Arsenal.

The absence of Bukayo Saka almost guarantees Eberechi Eze a starting spot on the left side of attack. With his silky dribbling, tight ball control, and creativity in building attacks, he could exploit Liverpool’s right flank, which could be vulnerable if Dominik Szoboszlai is forced again to play as an emergency right-back (The Scottish Sun, 08/25). His track record at Crystal Palace also provides reasons for optimism — Eze once scored the decisive goal in the 2025 FA Cup Final against Manchester City, proof that he can shine on the biggest stage (Wikipedia, 05/2025).

Even so, making a debut at Anfield is always an extraordinary mental test. The stadium’s famed atmosphere can cause many newcomers to lose confidence. Moreover, Arne Slot’s intense pressing tactics could trap Eze in dangerous areas if he loses possession. Liverpool may look fragile in transition without Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, but Slot could easily prepare a special scheme to neutralize Eze. According to a former Anfield midfielder, Liverpool’s issue isn’t Wirtz, but the absence of Gravenberch as the “balance keeper” in midfield (FourFourTwo, 08/25).

His success will depend on his courage in one-on-one duels, his composure under the immense pressure of Anfield, and his ability to collaborate with other new signings like Viktor Gyökeres and Noni Madueke. If he can overcome this tough test, Eze’s debut at Anfield could be a major story at the start of the season — not just for Arsenal, but for the broader Premier League title race.