Liverpool and Arsenal both looking for 1st win

LONDON (AP) — Only days after letting striker Andy Carroll go on loan, Liverpool will be looking for goals against Arsenal in the Premier League.

In the showcase match of the weekend, the Reds will face Arsenal on Sunday at Anfield with both teams trying to earn their first win of the season.

"We have got a massive game at the weekend. We had a brilliant performance last weekend, just didn't quite get the result we deserved," said Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, whose team held defending champion Manchester City to a 2-2 draw. "It will be tough this weekend as well but the players are really looking forward to it, as am I."

Luis Suarez scored against City, but won't be playing alongside Carroll anymore this season. The big striker was loaned to West Ham on Thursday.

City will be taking on Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, while Manchester United visits Southampton on Sunday. Chelsea, the early league leader with nine points from three games, will instead play in the European Super Cup against Atletico Madrid.

At Anfield, Arsenal could end up with backup Vito Mannone in goal again because of Wojciech Szczesny's rib injury. The Italian was between the posts last week when the Gunners were held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke.

"It is a dream of any kid to play at Anfield. I went a few years ago to watch a game, just to see the stadium," Mannone said. "It will be fun if I have the chance because I would love to play in that ground, feel the atmosphere and hopefully get a win."

City will host QPR again about three months after a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory that gave the Blues their first title in 44 years.

"I hope this year we can do the same result but not concede one or two goals again," City manager Roberto Mancini said. "It is important we win this game but we know it will be difficult. It will be the same."

Manchester United will be without Wayne Rooney on Sunday, as the England striker was injured in the 3-2 win over Fulham last week. He came on as a substitute and was cut in the right leg when he was stepped on.

But with both Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa scoring against Fulham, Rooney's lack of fitness probably would have kept him out of the team to face Southampton regardless.

"Wayne's a bit behind other players in terms of fitness," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "It wasn't an easy choice to leave Wayne out because he is a very good player who can score you goals."

Rooney should be back in about four weeks, according to Ferguson.

"It's nothing serious on the actual gash. It's a bad one but it was treated carefully and very quickly and we don't expect any complications," Ferguson said. "The fact it's a gash and not a ligament, muscle or joint injury means he can do a lot of work in the gym so he should be back in four weeks."

Also Saturday, it's West Ham vs. Fulham; Swansea vs. Sunderland; Tottenham vs. Norwich; West Bromwich Albion vs. Everton; and Wigan vs. Stoke. Newcastle will host Aston Villa in Sunday's other game.