Liverpool vs Arsenal preview
The last time Arsenal finished eighth in a Premier League title season, Liverpool won the title. Now with Liverpool currently in eighth and Arsenal on top of the league, history seems to be repeating itself. And under these circumstances, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will welcome league leaders Arsenal to Anfield with a match which could define both team’s season.
With just ten games remaining, Liverpool find themselves ten points behind fourth-placed Manchester United and know that taking 30 points from their remaining matches is the only chance they might have of sneaking into the Champions League places.
On the other hand, things could not be much better for Arsenal, who have maintained their grip on the top spot for months. However, they have played one more match than second-placed Manchester City, which means their eight-point lead could be cut down to only two if they lose to Liverpool and Manchester City win their next two games.
For Liverpool, it has been the same story where an inspired performance is followed by several insipid ones and so forth. For example, after their impressive 7-0 win over Manchester United, Liverpool have lost their next three matches and drew their most recent one against Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have been near perfect in their pursuit of a first Premier League title for 19 years. Mikel Arteta’s young guns have surpassed every expectation and formed a cohesive unit that runs like a well-oiled machine.
When the two teams met in the Premier League back in October, Arsenal ran out winners 3-2, with Bukayo Saka grabbing a brace. However, if one team in the league has raised their standards for top clashes, it is Liverpool, and the Gunners will need to be at their best if they want to salvage something from the match.
🗣️Granit Xhaka on the Arsenal vs Liverpool game:
“It does not matter how their season is going – they are always a dangerous team and, at Anfield, a very difficult team to play.
“We have confidence enough to win there. This is what we will try to do. That’s why we are going… pic.twitter.com/bkm5maeIX0
— Akash (@Ak0320p) April 3, 2023
Liverpool vs Arsenal team news
Jurgen Klopp sprang a major surprise as he excluded Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk from his starting 11 at Chelsea. However, the duo could be back, given they failed to win against the Blues. Luis Diaz remains a long-term absentee and is joined on the treatment table by Naby Keita, Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara, and Calvin Ramsay.
Liverpool Predicted Line-up: Alisson; Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho, Henderson, Elliot; Nunez, Gakpo, Salah
Meanwhile, Arsenal were hit by a piece of significant injury news as centre-back William Saliba was injured. The defender missed the last two matches of the Gunners and will not be able to be fit in time for the game against Liverpool. This means that Rob Holding will keep his place in the starting 11.
In addition, despite suffering knocks against Leeds, Bukayo Saka and Ben White are expected to be fit for the match. Apart from that, Takerhiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny are out for the season after suffering long-term injuries.
Arsenal Predicted Line-up: Ramsdale, Zinchenko, Gabriel, Holding, White; Xhaka, Thomas Partey, Odegaard; Martinelli, Jesus, Saka
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Key Players
Ever since joining Liverpool in 2017, the Egyptian wizard Mohamed Salah has been the leading man for them in precarious situations. Even in an underwhelming season, Salah has scored 12 goals, the joint sixth-highest in the league, and has been perhaps their only source of positivity this season, with the attacker showing flashes of world-class brilliance most recently against in the 7-0 win over Manchester United.
Like at Liverpool, Arsenal have their star at right wing in Bukayo Saka. This season, the 21-year-old has come to his own terrorising defence across the league. Saka has been so fierce that he is the only player in the league who is among the top ten players in the league, both in terms of goals and assists. The Englishman has also hit double-digit scores in both goals and assists, which shows the team’s dependence on the youngster.
Liverpool vs Arsenal predictions
The match is a real test for both the teams as Liverpool are aiming to arrest their slide down the Premier League table, and Arsenal want to keep their juggernaut towards the Premier League title going. Arsenal possess perhaps the most complete and the most in-form squad in the league.
However, Liverpool at Anfield are a beast that can awaken at any time and destroy any team in front of it. FootTheBall predicts a 3-1 win for Liverpool.