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The Reds have been a dash-and-dare voyage this season, with the club adamant to produce some big results. Not until their game against West Ham United in London they tasted a defeat this season, across all competitions. It will take some doing for them to dent the aspirations of Chelsea, but they are well on track for what could be a massive season.
Arsenal were off to a horrendous start losing their opening three fixtures, but they have picked up momentum themselves. They have remained undefeated in the league since losing 5-0 to Manchester City in the final game of August, and have gone nearly three months without going down to opposition.
While there is clear indication to suggest that Anfield could turn into a slaughterhouse if the hosts play their cards right, Mikel Arteta’s men have provided some stellar defensive performances in the last few weeks, which could make the Gunners optimistic.
Since winning 4-3 against the Merseyside Reds back in 2016, Arsenal have not managed to win a game of football against them in 90 minutes. Liverpool managed to score thrice in each of their last two games against Arsenal in the league, setting the precedence well in favour of the hosts.
Despite having some issues in the midfield, Liverpool have done well with Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita and Curtis Jones pulling the thread. But for this fixture, the injury list goes on and on, with Sadio Mane, Andrew Robertson, Jordan Henderson, Roberto Firmino, Joe Gomez, Harvey Elliott and a few others sidelined.
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Mane and Robertson will make it to the side, whilst Firmino and Henderson may remain out of contention to start. Arsenal do not have many players missing, and also have a major boost with the return of Thomas Partey. Granit Xhaka and Sead Kolasinac are the only unavailable players for the visiting team.
This fixture has historically proven itself to be one of the most entertaining and exhilarating contests, and despite Liverpool’s sensational record of losing to them just once since Klopp joined the club, this game is expected to provide entertainment.
Key players
Easily the best player on the planet right now, Mohamed Salah has been churning goal contributions for fun this season. He has excelled as a goal-scorer and playmaker, having played a part in 17 of the 31 goals Liverpool scored in the league this season. He scored 10 times and assisted 7. To add to it, the Egyptian has scored 7 times and assisted twice against Arsenal, which includes a goal during his Chelsea days.
Ever since making his debut last season against Arsenal, Diogo Jota has proven himself to be a clutch goal-scorer for Liverpool, scoring some big goals for the side, including a debut goal against the Gunners. He scored 4 times in the league this season, to go with the goal he scored against Atletico Madrid.
Thomas Partey will be a massive presence in the midfield for the side. He scored his first goal for Arsenal quite recently, and despite missing their 1-0 win against Watford, he marshals the backline stupendously and his excellent passing range will be a great boost on the break for the Gunners.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been in sensational form, and managed to score his first goal of the season. He has made 4 assists in the league this season, and has improved his defensive game extensively. He will be a major threat for Arsenal’s defenders and will continue to bomb up and down with his feisty runs.
Just like his team, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. However, he scored plenty of match-winning goals this season for the Gunners. They will be in desperate need of his brilliance moving forward. He scored 4 goals in the league and three in the Carabao Cup this season.
Prediction
Arsenal are on their biggest unbeaten streak since Mikel Arteta joined the club as managed. They have maintained 6 clean sheets in their last 9 games courtesy the likes of Aaron Ramsdale doing a phenomenal job for the side. They are expected to enter the deadly den that is Anfield with a defensively stringent plan.
Liverpool are not expected to play any differently, with their forwards and fullbacks bombarding the opposition defence restlessly. Not a single team this season has managed to keep a clean sheet against them, and have scored more than one goal in a game in 16 of the 17 fixtures they have taken part.
This will be one heck of a test for Arteta’s troops, but it is likely that Liverpool will emerge victorious with a decent enough cushion. Their frontline currently is a bit too threatening for them to not outscore the Gunners.
