Liverpool host Arsenal on Sunday as the world will be watching. An Arsenal slip up would mean City could go 2 points behind them if they win their games in hand and a victory puts them firmly in the driving seat as the Premier League closes in.
If Arsenal do end up losing and City win their games, the pressure would be all on Arsenal’s shoulders as they still have to go to Etihad in 20 days time.
As Liverpool are concerned, Champions League qualification looks unlikely but a battle for Europa League spots is still on. Klopp knows every single point matters for them now as he looks to spoil Arsenal’s party.
I expect an intense game full of duels and chances just like the last time when we saw a total of 5 goals between them thanks to a brace from Saka and goals from Martinelli, Nunez and Firmino.
Liverpool’s form (all competitions): D L L L W.
Arsenal’s form (all competitions): W W L W D.
When & Where?
DATE: Sunday, April 9th, 2023.
TIME: 4.30pm UK.
VENUE: Anfield Stadium, Liverpool.
Team News
Bajcetic, Ramsay, Keita are set to miss out while Thiago and Diaz are subject to testing. Van Dijk is back and available.
Arsenal are set to be without Elneny and Tomiyasu for the rest of the season. Saliba is thought to be out with an ongoing back issue while Nketiah could make a return. Saka is back fit again.
Tactical Setup
Arsenal are likely to keep their usual shape with one key element potentially changed. Trossard has been in breathtaking form and with Jesus back, a real battle for places is beginning to take place. Jesus is likely to keep his place which means a decision will have to be taken on who starts between Martinelli and Trossard. Trossard is in better form at the minute while Martinelli is likely a better fit for the game as a pacier option who can run in behind and stretch the pitch more. Trossard scored a hattrick the last time he played against Liverpool at Anfield so any decision Arteta takes is going to be tough one. Holding will fill in for Saliba while Zinchenko and Partey orchestrate the middle. Watch out for Xhaka‘s darting runs into the box as the goals have been coming for him recently.
Liverpool are likely to start with Nunez on the wings and Gakpo up front. There have been some murmurings over Salah’s availability but nothing more than that so he should be fit to play. I expect a trio of Eliott-Fabinho-Henderson in the middle if Thiago doesn’t make a surprise comeback. Nunez will look to cause chaos on the left and with Robertson on the overlap, White has to be wary of the danger. Both Robertson and Trent are set for a long day if Martinelli and Saka come in a good mood. Trent simply has to be extra careful with his positioning as he has been struggling this season and Martinelli won’t stop if he smells uncertainty in his game.
KEY PLAYERS
Mohamed Salah
Salah’s season has gone under the radar because of the poor form Liverpool are in but credit has to be given where its due. 12 goals and 7 assists in a dysfunctional attack and a struggling team is no easy feat. He remains Klopp’s most important player and he’ll look to show what he’s made of once again against a familiar opposition. Zinchenko-Gabriel have to be careful not to overcommit when he has the ball at his feet.
Gabriel Jesus
Sometimes I feel like the whole stadium stands up when he has the ball, that’s how much gravity he has in his game. Exciting, electric, unexpected. He scored 2 goals last time out and he’ll look to build on that as he comes back to full fitness. His game looks the same which is encouraging and the only thing missing is that terrifying intensity he can play with. But he’s coming back in that regard and 7/12 duels won against Leeds just confirms it. Wonderful striker with a unique skillset.
Predicted XIs
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Arsenal: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez
Arsenal predicted lineup vs Liverpool: Ramsdale; Zinchenko, Holding, Gabriel, White; Xhaka, Partey, Odegaard; Martinelli, Jesus, Saka.
