Liverpool vs Arsenal
Date: 29/12/2018
K/O: 17:30
Venue: Anfield
TV: BT Sport
Referee: Michael Oliver
At the halfway stage, it is Liverpool who lead the way at the top of the table with the hunting pack, in close proximity, just behind. They take on Unai Emery’s Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday in a match which is destined for goals, big moments and more importantly the victors will either remain six points clear at the top of the Premier League table or possibly close the gap on a top-four spot.
Liverpool currently find themselves six points clear of Tottenham and seven ahead of Manchester City and they currently have it all in their own hands. Yet with lots of football still to be played, there is no doubt that there will be some more bumps along the way. As for the Gunners, they are two points off the top four with a chasing and rejuvenated Manchester United six points behind them. After a blip away at Brighton on Boxing Day, Emery will be looking for his side to recover against the league leaders at Anfield.
The earlier meeting between these two sides had disallowed goals and some incorrect decisions but the final score was 1-1 with Milner’s strike being cancelled out with a late equaliser from Lacazette in a fairly even game. Both sides here have all to play for and both managers will not want to lose this one with the momentum the sides are carrying. Liverpool are still unbeaten at this stage and you wouldn’t bet against them at the moment but it is not a guaranteed win at all for the Reds.
With games still coming thick and fast, the pressure is on the sides to keep up their performances and continue picking up points. The fact that tiredness starts to set in with very little rest time between games, it is hard to predict who starts, how teams will perform and more importantly what the result will be.
Opta match facts
This is the 227thmeeting between these two sides, Liverpool have won 86, Arsenal 79 and there have been 61 draws in all competitions. Liverpool are on a seven-game unbeaten run against Arsenal at the moment, winning three and drawing four. Arsenal are also without a win in five trips to Anfield and have conceded two or more in each match and 17 in total.
Firmino has scored five goals against Arsenal so far during his Liverpool career which is only beaten by Robbie Fowler who finished his career with nine goals. The Brazilian hasn’t been as involved as maybe he’d like to have been so far this season but his record against Arsenal specifically is good, with the five goals he has scored he also has three assists across the last six matches he has played against the Gunners.
Team News
Liverpool: Klopp almost has a full side to pick from, however; Milner’s fitness will be assessed after he missed the Boxing Day win against Newcastle with a hamstring injury. Gomez and Matip are still out and look a few weeks away from returning to full training with a fractured leg and a broken collarbone respectively. Oxlade-Chamberlain has returned to light training and is back on his feet but is still a long-term absentee. With Shaqiri starting on Boxing Day I feel he will have to settle for a place on the bench in this one and Klopp will use him as an impact sub which he has done multiple times already this season, to devastating effect.
Arsenal: Emery has major problems in defence with Holding and Bellerin out until the new year as well as Mustafi, Koscielny and Monreal, who are also carrying knocks and are doubtful. Further up the field, Mkhitaryan is out with a foot injury along with Welbeck who is a long-term absentee at this stage. At this point, I think Emery forces a start out of Koscielny as he is severely lacking a backline and even a not fully fit Frenchman would help their situation drastically.
Predicted Starting XIs
Liverpool (4-3-2-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Keita; Firmino, Mane; Salah
Arsenal (4-3-3): Leno; Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Koscielny, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Torreira, Guendouzi; Lacazette, Aubameyang, Iwobi
Score Prediction: Liverpool 3 Arsenal 1
A bold statement from me but I truly believe in front of the Anfield faithful Liverpool get the job done here and Arsenal see their biggest setback of the season so far. With a huge match against Manchester City right around the corner, it is hugely important Liverpool pick up the points here to ensure they keep the top spot. Their side looks fresh and is handling tiredness fairly well throughout December whereas Arsenal’s defensive woes will come out to haunt them here.
