Preview: Liverpool vs. Arsenal
Win and go (or stay) top: but Klopp insists it’s not a six-pointer in the title race at this stage
LIVERPOOL VS. ARSENAL
| Saturday, December 22nd |
Premier League | Anfield
5:30PM GMT/12:30PM EST
Arsenal are without Jurrien Timber (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Fabio Vieira (groin), and Thomas Partey (thigh) for this weekend’s trip to Anfield, and Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) and Jorginho (foot) will be game-time decisions for head coach Mikel Arteta. Elneny has been back in training, though this match may come too soon for him, while Jorginho’s first day back would be today.
The Gunners come into this match in good form, having won seven in the last nine in all competitions (D1 L1) — though their loss did come recently in the league, as they lost away to Aston Villa.
They sit at the top of the table on 39 points, one ahead of Liverpool, with both teams having conceded 15 league goals (Liverpool have scored one more than Arsenal, who have 35 goals this season).
Should Arteta’s men lose on Saturday, they will lose back-to-back away fixtures for the first time since last May (per Opta). Such a result could call into question their resilience, which has been strong since they fell out of the title race last season against Manchester City.
Gabriel Jesus is a player to watch, as the striker comes into this game having scored and assisted loads against Liverpool, with a goal involvement in his last three trips to Anfield. Arsenal were comfortable against Brighton last time out, with both Jesus and a newly-in-form Kai Havertz on the scoresheet.
The Gunners will have a job to do, as they’re winless in 10 straight matches at Anfield (D3 L7), and they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of the last 15 top flight meetings home or away, conceding 43 in that time. This season should not see a high scoring Arsenal trip to Anfield, though — and we all miss the 5-1(s) — as Arsenal have conceded three or more only once this season (against Luton, in a game that they, unlike Liverpool, managed to win late).
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-3-3)
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Endo, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Díaz
Ryan Gravenberch is likely to return from a short stint out with muscle fatigue, while Alexis Mac Allister, Diogo Jota and Andrew Roberton remain out for Liverpool, likely to return in the new year.
Though the goals conceded is equal, Arsenal have conceded the fewest shots on target (43) in the Premier League this season, which suggests that the Reds will need to take their chances — something they’ve not been great at all opportunities this season. In fact, Liverpool snapped their 26-game league scoring streak against Manchester United having taken 34 shots, the most ever recorded for a team that failed to score (per Opta).
Liverpool’s low goals conceded figure also points to the importance of Alisson for Liverpool, with the Brazilian having conceded three fewer goals than the post-shot xG would anticipate (and having faced 57 shots on target).
The Reds are unbeaten in their last 20 meetings with Arsenal, even if this year’s iteration might just be a different sort of side. They will hope that the Manchester United performance proves to be a blip, and look to continue in the scoring pattern of the mid-week cup game instead.
What the Managers Had to Say
Jürgen Klopp: “We are in the position we’re in, it’s not that bad. Arsenal played an exceptional season so far and they are better than last season, CL qualified easily and they are good. Massive game, it’s great to have them, meet them and yes, it’s good. We want a proper home game.”
Mikel Arteta: “We have to prepare to play and be better than them and focus on our supporters — they will always support the team. I have to think about the team and we are preparing to win it. It is going to be a special atmosphere for both teams and it is strong opposition. We will prepare to win it and go for it; it will be an intense match. It is always great to be in the highest position in this league and we will try to maintain that, but we have to be intelligent to manage the game.”
The Officials
Referee: Chris Kavanagh Assistants: Simon Bennett, Dan Robathan Fourth Official: Craig Pawson VAR: David Coote Assistant VAR: Lee Betts
If you haven’t done so already, take a moment to sign up for an SB Nation account and join the community at The Liverpool Offside, where we’ll bring you and your fellow Reds fans from around the world full coverage of every Liverpool match from the 2023-24 season in the Premier League, Europa League, and domestic cups along with breaking news, insight and opinion, tactical discussion, and post-match reaction
Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com
Post a Comment