Arsenal vs Liverpool. Prediction and Preview. Probable Lineups, Team News, Stats and more

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The matches of this pair are held later due to a postponement at the request of Liverpool

The second leg of the English League Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Liverpool is scheduled for January 20. It will take place at Emirates Stadium and start at 01:15 IST. 

Arsenal and Liverpool played their first League Cup semi-final match on January 13 at the Reds’ home stadium. The encounter ended 0-0. From 24 minutes, the visitors from London played in the minority due to a red card of Granit Xhaka. The hosts unsuccessfully tried to find a key to break the defense of the Gunners: but, unfortunately, in 90 minutes, Merseyside limited themselves to just one shot on target against the Londoners.

Thus, Arsenal became one of the few teams that prevented a formidable, albeit weakened, Liverpool from scoring at Anfield, their fortress.

Who will go to the final? What lineups will the coaches put out? What can we expect from the match? Read about it all below.

Arsenal News & Current Form: 

Let’s just applaud Mikel Arteta‘s team. This time the team withstood the total domination of Liverpool thanks to dedication and luck. 

The vast majority of the first game they had to play in the minority: all “thanks” to the Swiss midfielder, who blatantly kicked Diogo Jota in the chest, for which he was deservedly suspended off the field. However, Arsenal’s defensive play was excellent: with ten men, they stood firm under the Reds’ pressure with restraint and courage – the hosts did not even know what to do with the ball, only one shot on target – it’s frankly an anomaly.

Perhaps the Spanish coach’s fortune repaid for the game against Manchester City, where even Pep Guardiola admitted that the Londoners deserved at least a draw in a match against probably the best team in the world. 

Anyway, Arsenal showed almost nothing in the attack, although chances were surprisingly created even in the minority – the problem could come up in the return match.

The return match will give some hope to the Gunners – they have a chance to reach the final and win the trophy.

Also, it must be admitted, both teams are very much weakened at the moment – many key players are missing. Based on the forces available, the Londoners cannot count on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Thomas Partey and Mohammed Elneny: all left for the Africa Cup. Cedric Soares, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Emile Smith Rowe – very important players for the Red-Whites – are in doubt according to the latest info.

One positive thing – Arsenal postponed a difficult game against Tottenham, which was supposed to take place this Sunday, due to the combination of coronavirus issues with injuries and AFCON. 

“Honestly, it’s my first time in my life – and I’ve had a bit of experience in football – I’ve seen this type of decision. It was very strange and surprising.”

says Spurs coach Antonio Conte.

In any case, the Cannoniers had more time to prepare and rest than Liverpool, which is definitely perceived as an advantage.

Liverpool News & Current Form: 

The last time Jurgen Klopp‘s team was defeated at the end of December, losing away to Leicester in an EPL match (0-1). After that stumble, the Merseyside side avoided defeat in the next four games, although Klopp’s men could only beat Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup (4-1) and Brentford in a home meeting on Matchday 22 of the FA Championship last Sunday (3-0). In the other matches, the Reds played a draw, which practically gave carte blanche to Manchester City.

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It took almost a full half for the home side to net the goal against the Bees. In the 44th minute, Fabinho opened the scoring. After the break, the Merseysiders consolidated their advantage after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Takumi Minamino struck accurately.

The Reds could theoretically play Chelsea in the English League Cup final, but they need to get there first. And what happened in the first match demonstrated only the nominal dominance of Liverpool, but did not add any bonuses to it. Klopp’s team failed to score even after playing 65 (!) minutes with the numerical advantage, and Takumi Minamino’s shot on an empty net was the apotheosis of the hosts’ bad luck. The Japanese will probably see that shot to the sky in the nightmares for a long time…

In this match absolutely nothing is clear and nothing is guaranteed, the chances are roughly equal and Jurgen Klopp understands it very well.

Divock Origi, Harvey Elliott and Nathaniel Phillips are out injured, and Thiago Alcantara is also out with a suspected coronavirus. Mohamed Salah, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane went to the AFCON. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is in doubt.

In general, Liverpool’s hands and feet are tied: the tournament is the most non-priority for the Reds, a lot of injuries and players must be taken care of, because the load is really high due to the tight schedule. The German coach has a puzzle to solve.

Arsenal season form guide (all competitions): W-W-L-L-D

Liverpool season form guide: L-D-W-D-W 

Arsenal vs Liverpool Head-To-Head Record:

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Arsenal have been “barely walking their legs” from the strong Liverpool in recent matches, for many years the Londoners have had difficult games, often devastating. But it seems that Arteta has found a way to compete with the Marsysiders, sometimes even beating them – for example, the Community Shield match.

Arsenal vs Liverpool Predicted XI:

Arsenal Predicted XI (4-4-2): Aaron Ramsdale; Kieran Tierney, Gabriel Magalhaes, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers; Ben White, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli; Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah

Liverpool Predicted XI (4-3-3): Alisson Becker; Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander-Arnold; Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones; Takumi Minamino, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota

Statistical preview of the match Arsenal vs Liverpool:

  • Liverpool have won 3 of the last 5 face-offs.
  • Liverpool have scored more than 3 4 goals in recent matches against Arsenal.
  • Arsenal haven’t won in regulation time against Liverpool over the last 6 games.
  • Arsenal are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 home matches.

What has been said before the match:

Arsenal vs Liverpool Prediction: 

The teams approach the meeting in London without a number of leaders. Liverpool’s reserves look more solid overall. The last game against Brentford showed that the Merseysiders can score without attacking leaders Salah and Mane, which makes the Reds the favorites for the upcoming match.

Arsenal have not played against Tottenham, so they will be fresher than the visitors who played at the weekend. That said, Arteta will have a difficult time selecting combinations in midfield. Problems with the squad limit the choice of midfielders to the reserves Albert Lokonga and inexperienced youngster Charlie Patino. Unless one of the injured players returns, it will be difficult for the Red and Whites to qualify for the final.

Although Liverpool ruined a lot of chances in the first game, it is impossible that they will step on the same rake a second time. Liverpool is class above in any case, but nothing is guaranteed. 

Moreover, if Arsenal will be attempting to attack with a high count of manpower – they can be caught on the counter-attack at any moment, the situation of total defense as in the last match is irrelevant for the upcoming match. At that time, the only task was to protect the goal.

Arteta seems to have understood how to play against the Reds, especially without their main trump cards. After all, the levels of Brentford and other Merseysiders` previous opponents are not the same as the tier of the Londoners who literally breathe down Liverpool’s back in the Premier League. We think Arsenal will be able to come up with a goal and impose a fight.

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Paimatch News staff prediction: 

We say: match total over 2.5.

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