Preview: Liverpool and Arsenal clash in what promises to be the toughest recent time fixture between the two in Merseyside

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Liverpool this weekend play host to Arsenal at the Anfield Stadium looking to bounce back from a couple of recent disappointing results in the league, which saw them drew one and lost one in their last two games before the international break.


The break came at a very good time for the Reds to have a refreshed team after the struggles against West Ham United and Brighton. The results made them slip from second position to fourth, now just a place above their opponent this weekend.

Arsenal are having a very good run and are now 10 games unbeaten, winning eight of them and have turned their worst start to a league season after three games to one of their best start in recent times. The win against Watford in their last game was the first time they have won a league game at home in November, since 2017.

However, every next game seems to be tougher for the Gunners and so far, they have been able to withstand the every test they have come up against. Liverpool away from home means things does not get any easier.

The trip to Anfield will be the biggest and the toughest they have to face in their run as the host have been dominant in this fixture and come into the game in need of a win. The recent evidence shows we are in for a real treat at Anfield on the eve of Saturday.

Head to Head

Liverpool boast the better record in this fixture, preventing Arsenal from winning in Anfield since 2012, when Lukas Podolski and Santo Cazorla strike in either half to give Arsene Wenger side a 2-0 win.

Since then, the Gunners are without a win in each of their ten visits, losing six for games ending in 90 minutes. The last four league visits have all ended in loses for Arsenal, a record which put their current run in jeopardy.

However, the Gunners will see no better time than now as the perfect time to come up against Jürgen Klopp side while Liverpool will be hopeful that their poor form is gone with the international break. This has been one of the most interesting premier league and this weekend promises to be another blockbuster.

Both side can not afford a defeat right now because for Arsenal, it will surely down a very high spirit and atmosphere around the club while Liverpool would be without a win in three games, a result which will put much question marks on their title credentials.

Team news

A host of players are still doubts for Liverpool. The likes of Andrew Robertson, Sadio Mané, Jordan Henderson, Divock Origi, Kurtis Jones, James Milner and Naby Keita are all injured but Jurgen Klopp will hope of having most of them back to face Arsenal.

Harvey Elliot, Joe Gomez and Roberto Firmino will not be playing a part in the game as they are yet to recover from their respective injuries.

Thomas Partey is fit and ready to play for Arsenal after missing the game against Watford and the international games. His return will be much of relief for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta as they travel to one of the toughest grounds in the Premier League.

Club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also fit after missing Gabon’s game against Egypt, while Granit Xhaka is expected to be the only regular player to miss out as he continues his recovery aiming return to full training in January.

Verdict

A Liverpool will is the most likely result but they will not be having it easy as Arsenal could be having their best game away at Liverpool in many years given their recent form and players available.

Predicted line-ups

Liverpool : Alisson, Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago, Mané, Jota, Salah.

Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tierney, Gabriel, Ben White, Tomiyasu, Partey, Sambi Lokonga, Smith Rowe, Saka, Lacazette, Aubameyang.


Afolabi Kehinde Hassan

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