ARSENAL take on Liverpool in a massive Premier League clash – and both sides look are looking to sit top of the tree at Christmas.
The Gunners will be hoping they can extend their lead at the summit after watching Aston Villa drop two vital points against Sheffield United on Friday night.
But the last time Arsenal beat Liverpool at Anfield, manager Mikel Arteta was in midfield.
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Last weekend, The Reds had a Premier League record 34 shots in the game against Man Utd.
They will be hoping they can impose themselves on The Gunners as much as this today.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side have only conceded 43 shots on targets this season, the lowest in the league.
The Gunners have conceded in all of the last of their 15 previous top-flight outings in this fixture, conceding 43 goals in the process.
Liverpool have lost only 1 of their last 50 top-flight outings, they are currently unbeaten in 20 games at Anfield.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping his side can change those stats today.
The bookies are seeing Liverpool as slight favourites to win the game at Anfield this evening.
Liverpool – 11/8
Draw – 12/5
Arsenal – 15/8
All match odds brought to you by Betway.
1. Ramsdale, 17. Cedric, 15. Kiwior, 20. Jorginho, 25. Elneny, 10. Smith Rowe, 24. Nelson, 19. Trossard, 14. Nketiah
62. Kelleher, 2. Gomez, 9. Nunez, 19. Elliott, 38. Gravenberch, 42. Clark, 53. McConnell, 78. Quansah, 84. Bradley
The big news for Jurgen Klopp’s side is that he has included Curtis Jones in the line-up after his impressive performance against West Ham.
1. Alisson, 66. Alexander-Arnold, 4. van Dijk, 5. Konate, 21. Tsimikas, 3. Endo, 8. Szoboszlai, 17. Jones, 18. Gakpo, 11. Salah, 7. Diaz
The Arsenal manager has spoken about what his side have prepared for this evening:
It’s going to be a special atmosphere. [Both] teams are in a really strong position and I’m sure both teams have prepared the game to win it. It’s going to be an intense match. Every game is different. [Liverpool] have a really particular way of playing like Brighton do, like Villa do. The context is different, the atmosphere is important to understand as well.
Mikel Arteta
After their disappointing draw against Man Utd, Liverpool were knocked off the top of the Premier League table by the visitors.
However, victory this evening would see The Reds return to the top for Christmas.
From an Arsenal perspective, even a draw would ensure that Mikel Arteta’s side stay at the top of the tree.
Arsenal will head north without the services of Jurrien Timber, Fabio Viera, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey who all remain out injured.
Recent problems for Mohamed Elneny and Jorginho has seen The Gunners’ midfield weakened further due to muscle issues, with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Emile Smith Rowe being their only options from the bench against Brighton.
Kai Havertz has had a return to form however and will no doubt join the midfield three with Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice in the starting line-up.
Jurgen Klopp will be without Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, Andrew Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister, Diogo Jota and Ben Doak who all still reside in the Anfield treatment room.
Ryan Gravenberch is expected to return to the squad after having a muscle strain against Man Utd last weekend, after fears he had damaged his hamstring proved to be not the case.
Following their dominant win over West Ham in the Carabao Cup, the Dutchman is likely to be on the bench due to the form of Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Jurgen Klopp has urged Liverpool fans to get behind their team more than ever today…
He said: “I have to say – it’s long ago that I said this – but I thought the first half a little bit, when the boys played really exceptional, I was not overly happy, I have to say, with the atmosphere behind me,” said the German.
“I don’t know. I don’t ask people, what do we want? We changed a lot of things. We dominated West Ham like crazy. We missed chances. And I mean, if I would be in the stand I would be on my toes, 1,000 per cent.
“I don’t know if the Man United game was that bad that we have to say, ‘oh sorry that we didn’t smash them’.
“We need Anfield on Saturday. Without Anfield, I would say – after they (Arsenal) didn’t play this week, they prepare for this game and anyone who knows a little bit about them, they will be prepared.
“So, we need Anfield on their toes from the first second without me having an argument with the opposition coach. We need you from the first second.
“If you really want, if it’s too much football in December, I don’t know. Sorry we have to play it as well. But if you are not in the right shape, give your ticket to somebody else.”
Hello and welcome to SunSport’s live coverage of Liverpool vs Arsenal in the Premier League.
Both Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp will be eyeing that Christmas No 1 spot at the top of the table in what should be a serious cracker at Anfield.
Arsenal will remember their 2-2 draw here last year, having led 2-0 with the game in total control to begin with.
That draw ultimately led them into a downturn in form and further draws with West Ham and Southampton ultimately handed the title to Man City.
Tonight they’ll be out for revenge at one of the hardest grounds to get a result in the country.
But Liverpool are coming off the back of their 0-0 draw with Man Utd and they’ll be desperate to get a big result at home.
So sit back and enjoy all the action, we’ll have you covered throughout the evening.
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Kieran Davies
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