Liverpool are ready to host a top-of-the-table contest with Arsenal, with both sets of managers desperate to stamp their authority.
Liverpool failed to take advantage of their position last weekend as they could not capitalise on a weak Manchester United side, with Arsenal up next. The game at Anfield last week ended in a surprising goalless draw, as the Red Devils held their ground and made life difficult for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Liverpool had 34 shots against Manchester United and yet were unable to break the deadlock. They did make amends against West Ham United in the Carabao Cup. But all the focus after the game was stuck on Klopp’s comments about the Anfield atmosphere.
With the Liverpool faithful thoroughly expected to raise the volume inside Anfield, the venue plays host to a top-of-the-table contest with Arsenal. It has been a very long time since these two teams have met in such crunch circumstances. But the Reds will want to take full advantage of this home game and leapfrog the Gunners for the top spot.
As Liverpool laboured on last weekend, Arsenal were imperious against Brighton & Hove Albion to secure a 2-0 win at the Emirates. The win will have come as a respite for Mikel Arteta, who wanted a stern response to their narrow defeat against Aston Villa a week ago.
Liverpool dropping points last weekend allowed Arteta’s side to retake their position at the summit, and the Spaniard will want Arsenal to stay there during Christmas. The Gunners will come to Anfield, having not won here since 2012, to start a new rivalry on a clean slate.
The Gunners ought to be taken seriously if they can manage a positive result. In truth, Liverpool will be under more pressure coming into this fixture; it is a ‘must-not-lose’ game for the Merseysiders, as Arsenal can still lose and firmly remain in the title race.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp confirmed some known news about a few of the absentees in his Liverpool squad. Alexis Mac Allister and Diogo Jota are still out and will not feature for this clash. The duo will make a return soon. But some will remain absent for the long term.
Meanwhile, Klopp also updated on Andrew Robertson’s situation and remained hopeful that the left-back would return in January. The Liverpool manager did have good news about Ryan Gravenberch, as the Dutchman will be available for selection against Arsenal.
Not many changes are expected from the team that started against Manchester United, but Curtis Jones could join the midfield three. Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo will retain their places for now, as Jones will hope to replicate his performance from this fixture last season.
Ibrahima Konate should slot in the backline alongside Virgil van Dijk, with Kostas Tsimikas and Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to keep their full-back roles. In the attack, Klopp must make a choice after Darwin Nunez looked lethal from the left-hand side of the front three. With Salah confident in occupying the right wing, Klopp might bring in Cody Gakpo in the central striker role.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Endo, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez
Arsenal
Arsenal have a few injury issues heading to Anfield, particularly with their midfielders. Mikel Arteta confirmed that Thomas Partey has not resumed training, although he insisted Mohamed Elneny will join them for a session that could determine his status after recovering from a recent hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, Jorginho will remain out of contention for a second game running with an ankle injury. Beyond that, there are no problems from the Brighton & Hove Albion clash, as Arteta might name an unchanged lineup for the Liverpool game.
With Takehiro Tomiyasu still sidelined, Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko will retain their full-back roles. William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are well-placed to marshall the central defence. Declan Rice will keep his place at the base of Arsenal’s midfield, with Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz on either side of him.
Bukayo Saka will continue to assert his dominance from the right-hand side of the attack, with Gabriel Jesus their current undisputed No.9. Gabriel Martinelli will aim to improve his form and look to score in a third consecutive game against Liverpool in the Premier League.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Key Stats
- Liverpool are undefeated in all competitions in their last 13 home matches against Arsenal.
- Liverpool have scored at least two goals in 11 of their last 13 home matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
- Liverpool had scored at Anfield for 26 consecutive games until the Manchester United draw.
- Arsenal have not won at Anfield since 2012 in the Premier League
- Arsenal have not lost back-to-back away games since May 2022.
Player to Watch
Trent-Alexander Arnold
The Liverpool full-back has been in sensational form in his new role, which has seen Jurgen Klopp invert the right-back to good effect. He will have a significant role to play like he did last season when Arsenal came to Anfield. In that reverse fixture, Alexander-Arnold changed the complexion of the game to peg the Gunners to a draw.
Arsenal must keep the Englishman quiet for most parts of the game to stand a chance. Otherwise, he will wreck their defence with his incisive passing and delicate balls. Klopp will put all his eggs in the Alexander-Arnold basket and hope the full-back makes the difference again.
Prediction
Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
This game could be a repeat of the fixture from last season, as both teams have their strengths coming into this contest. Liverpool certainly have the significant home advantage factor on their side, but Arsenal are in a somewhat superior vein of form.
Both teams are vying for the spot at the top, and this could lead them to play an end-to-end contest. Liverpool and Arsenal are prolific, but the Gunners have looked better defensively. Overall, there are hallmarks of an entertaining draw, with the game likely to finish in a 2-2 stalemate.
