Liverpool face a tough test at the weekend, hoping to maintain momentum from an impressive start in the Premier League with a win at the Emirates Stadium. Coming through unscathed against Man City already this season, Jurgen Klopp’s side find themselves thoroughly in the mix in the title challenge but are likely to face a hard ninety minutes against Arsenal, who have also been in superb form this season.
Despite a sluggish start initially, Unai Emery has come into life in London, impressing with an attacking ethos that’s breathed new life into Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. However, the only concern will be in defence where their weaknesses have been exposed a few times already; a Crystal Palace penalty in each half reflected the lack of discipline and composure within the Arsenal backline – a trait Liverpool will be looking to exploit at the weekend.
The Reds haven’t shown the attacking flair of last season; blowing teams away in short 10-15 minute bursts, Klopp’s gegenpressing high up the pitch set the tempo last season, pushing the opposition onto the back foot and asserting Liverpool’s dominance from the off. This year has seen a change in tact, with a greater emphasis on a more pragmatic approach rather than simply trying to outscore the opposition and hold on for dear life at the other end.
Much of that is down to improvements in the defensive picture via the introductions of Alisson and Virgil van Dijk, coinciding with the strong development of Joe Gomez and the energetic runs of the full-backs on both sides. Now able to establish more control throughout the ninety minutes and see out a game even at fine margins, Liverpool will be hoping to display their impressive new foundations at the Emirates and take all the spoils to keep the pressure firmly on Guardiola’s side.
Sadly for Arsenal, the game comes at a time where Mohamed Salah has begun to find his rhythm, combining well with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino against Red Star and most recently in the 4-1 win over Cardiff City. Scoring four goals and registering two assists in the last eight days following last weekends win, the Egyptian’s movement and flair will be pivotal in achieving a positive result.
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Arsenal will be sweating on the fitness of their full-backs, with Hector Bellerin suffering from a thigh injury while Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac both dealing with respective hamstring woes. All three will have late fitness tests ahead of the weekend’s clash – a welcome headache from a Liverpool perspective given their strength in attack.
Konstantinos Mavropanos is out with a groin injury, Laurent Koscielny misses out with an achilles injury and Matteo Guendouzi is suspended meaning Rob Holding is expected to start while soon to be out of contract Aaron Ramsey will supply the midfield graft alongside Torreira and Xhaka.
For Liverpool, Naby Keita remains side-lined having suffered an injury while on international duty while Jordan Henderson is also unavailable. Expected to return in the next few days, their absence is likely to see Fabinho feature alongside Wijnaldum and Milner. However, Xherdan Shaqiri will be pushing for a start after a series of stellar performances against Huddersfield, Red Star Belgrade and Cardiff so it’ll come down to a question of tactics for Jurgen Klopp. Salah, Mane and Firmino are all in action.
