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

li
Liverpool are eager to stick a spoke in Arsenal's wheels off their title race, will Arteta and Co be able to counteract it?

Liverpool FC will host Arsenal FC in the English Premier League 30th-tour match at Anfield Stadium. The fixture will take place on  Sunday, April 9, beginning at 21:00 IST.

What can we expect this Sunday night? Parimatch News will tell you everything you need to know ahead of the upcoming match.

Liverpool News & Current Form:

The Merseyside side’s season is a failure. Not only is the team not in contention for the title, but it is also unlikely to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, trailing fourth place by 10 points. Liverpool also crashed out of this year’s UCL, getting beaten 2 – 5 at home by CF Real Madrid, making the return match almost a formality. 

In both national Cups this season, the club also quickly enough stopped playing, although a year ago it won both the English Football League Cup and the Emirates FA Cup. So the only success of the Reds will be the FA  Community Shield won in the summer – and even then formally this trophy belongs to the previous season because it is played according to its results.

The last match played by Jurgen Klopp’s charges was with Chelsea. It has become a common occurrence for Liverpool and Chelsea FC to play out a goalless draw, with none of the last four encounters resulting in a goal for either team within 90 minutes. However, in the most recent match, the Merseyside giants appeared to be the more content team at the final whistle.

In the first game after departure Graham Potter, Reece James and Kai Havertz both had goals disallowed, leaving them disappointed. However, Klopp believes that he won’t suffer the same fate as other recently sacked managers, given his collection of medals from his time at Anfield. 

Despite this, Liverpool’s recent form – three losses and a draw in their last four games across all competitions – suggests a team in a relegation battle rather than fighting for Champions League qualification. The Reds are currently in eighth place, 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United FC, having played the same number of matches. 

During this winless run, Liverpool have only scored once, but all the games have been away from home. At Anfield, they have been relatively successful, with only Arsenal, Manchester United, and Manchester City FC performing better at home. Liverpool has earned 16 points from their last six home games, keeping clean sheets in their last four. Arsenal may benefit from taking a page out of Real Madrid’s book in preparing for their Anfield visit rather than following Manchester United’s example.

Before that, it was also a bad game against City (4 – 1). Klopp tried to save the game with substitutions and more aggressive pressing, but it did not help. The visitors conceded the fourth when Kevin de Bruyne and Jack Grealish combined to tear apart the defense. Mohamed Salah scored the only goal.

Liverpool didn’t have a single meaningful attack in the entire second half, utter helplessness against City’s control. Even with Real, it was more interesting when the Merseysiders drove Madrid for the first 20 minutes and only then floated. Manchester City is too strong an opponent for this Liverpool.

It is also worth noting that the Football Association of England sent a note to Liverpool formally accusing the players of inappropriate behavior after referee Simon Hooper refused to show Rodri a second yellow card in the first half.

Jordan Henderson, Diogo Jota, Ibrahima Konate, Fabinho, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold pounced on the referee demanding a second warning against Manchester City’s Spanish full-back after he violated the rules on Jota. Liverpool has until next Wednesday to respond to these charges. 

Moving on to the upcoming match, it is worth noting that the confrontation between Liverpool and Arsenal has known different periods. Clubs’ fans probably still remember the match almost 14 years ago, when the hosts snatched a 4 – 4 draw thanks to a goal by Yossi Benayoun in the 93rd minute.

After that, there were several other brilliant goal shootouts, including two 3 – 3 draws, one 4 – 3 win for the Reds and a 5 – 5 win in the League Cup, after which the Merseysideiders proved stronger in the penalty shootout, but still there has not been such intensity, especially in recent times.

This match will be special as Arsenal haven’t won at Anfield in 12 years, but they haven’t had results like this EPL season in a long time. On Sunday, we’ll see if the Gunners can zero the counter.

Liverpool FC coach Jurgen Klopp and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal FC

This week at Liverpool’s Kirkby training base, there were positive developments as Thiago Alcantara returned to full training after missing 10 games due to a hip problem, and Virgil van Dijk seems to have fully recovered from his illness which kept him out of the draw with Chelsea. 

Luis Diaz (knee) is working on building up his fitness with the squad, but Klopp is doubtful about his chances of making a comeback for this game. Stefan Bajcetic (adductor), Calvin Ramsay (knee), and Naby Keita (muscle) will all be sidelined. 

Klopp is open to making changes at Stamford Bridge, and the likes of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Andrew Robertson may return to the lineup this weekend. However, Salah, along with Joe Gomez, Arthur Melo, and Diogo Jota, were among the notable names absent from team training on Thursday.

Don`t miss out 👉: Top 5 players with the most Premier League appearances

Arsenal News & Current Form: 

Arsenal are trying hard to keep as much distance as possible from Manchester City in the standings, having won consistently in seven consecutive rounds. The Citizens, meanwhile, are barely behind, having won six of their last seven EPL matches (including against Arsenal, who have since played more rounds due to rescheduled meetings). 

Given that team of Pep Guardiola has played one less match, with their face-off at the Etihad still to come, City could reduce the gap from eight points to two if they go the rest of the distance perfectly. That said, the Gunners have a tougher calendar, with a trip to Newcastle United FC.

Gabriel Jesus returned to Arsenal’s starting lineup, and the Brazilian delivered with a brace in the recent thrashing of Leeds United FC. Despite a slow start, Arsenal dominated with goals from Ben White and Granit Xhaka, securing their second consecutive home win by a 4-1 scoreline.

Arsenal, having their best points total since the 2016-17 campaign, maintain their eight-point lead over second-place Manchester City. However, City has a game in hand and could temporarily reduce that gap by facing Southampton FC on Saturday evening.

Since their defeat to Manchester City in April, the Gunners have responded like champions, aiming to win their eighth consecutive Premier League game, including their fourth away from home. They are the best-performing side on their travels, collecting 34 points out of a possible 42.

In their last five Premier League victories, Arteta’s men have scored at least three goals in each, a feat they have never achieved in their top-flight history. They turned heads by defeating Liverpool 3 – 2 at the Emirates in October.

Recovered Arsenal FC star – Gabriel Jesus after scoring against Leeds United FC

However, Liverpool has proven tough for Arsenal to crack at Anfield, unbeaten in their last nine Premier League home games against the Gunners, winning the last six by an aggregate scoreline of 22 – 4. Arsenal will be looking to end their Merseyside curse in their upcoming match.

Arsenal’s Arteta is still concerned about the fitness of William Saliba, who is working to recover from a back problem. Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah (ankle), Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Mohamed Elneny (both knees) will be sidelined.

It is unlikely that Saliba will be fit for the Anfield showdown, which means Rob Holding will face a challenging task in the backline. However, Arteta has a positive selection dilemma in the final third. 

Hat-trick by Leandro Trossard for Brighton & Hove Albion FC in October was surprising, but with Bukayo Saka expected to return to the starting lineup after recovering from illness, Trossard may have to accept a super-sub role.

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

Arsenal form guide: W-D-W-L-W-W

Liverpool vs Arsenal Head-To-Head Record: 

LiverpoolDrawArsenal
946282
  • October 1, 2020: Liverpool 0 – 0 Arsenal (League Cup);
  • April 3, 2021: Arsenal 0 – 3 Liverpool (Premier League);
  • November 20, 2021: Liverpool 4 – 0 Arsenal (Premier League);
  • January 13, 2022: Liverpool 0 – 0 Arsenal (League Cup);
  • January 20, 2022: Arsenal 0 – 2 Liverpool (League Cup);
  • March 16, 2022: Arsenal 0 – 2 Liverpool (Premier League);
  • October 9, 2022: Arsenal 3 – 2 Liverpool (Premier League).

Liverpool vs Arsenal Predicted XI:

Liverpool’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Elliott; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.

Arsenal’s possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Xhaka, Partey; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Jesus.

Statistical preview of the match Liverpool vs Arsenal:

  • Liverpool’s First XI average age is 27.3 yrs.
  • Arsenal’s First XI average age is 25.8 yrs.
  • Arsenal are unbeaten in 8 of their last 10 matches.
  • Liverpool are unbeaten in 5 of their last 7 games against this foe.
  • Liverpool are unbeaten in 8 of their last 10 games at home.
  • Arsenal are conceding an average of 1.00 goals per game in their last 5 games.
  • Arsenal scored an average of 2.80 goals per game in the last 5 games.
  • Liverpool are scoring an average of 1.60 goals per game in their last 5 games.
  • Liverpool conceded an average of 1.20 goals per game in their last 5 games.
  • Arsenal’s top scorers – Bukayo Saka (13 + 10), Gabriel Martinelli (13 + 4), Martin Odegaard (10 + 7).
  • Liverpool’s top scorers – Mohamed Salah (23 + 11), Darwin Nunez (14 + 11), Roberto Firmino (10 + 5).

What has been said before the match:

The Reds’  coach Jurgen Klopp ahead of the clash with table leaders Arsenal:

“It’s obvious it’s a different team, clear. Mikel has been building this team for a few years now and obviously the outcome is pretty impressive. The way they play is fun to watch, to be honest, it’s super-lively, really good football, top players on the pitch, good match plans.”

“Good is not exactly what you can say about us at the moment, so that shows you what the situation is. But at least for a while we can mention, again, it’s Anfield. So, we are at home and still have to show reaction after reaction after reaction – we have to – and improvement. That’s what we will absolutely try on Sunday.”

“We’re not throwing away the white flag, we’re continuing to fight, but obviously it’s going to be difficult for us to finish in the top 4. The problem is that we’re not scoring points.”

“Thank God I haven’t had a season like this yet. I think if something like this had happened before, I wouldn’t be working at Liverpool anymore. The way things are going, we need to make a breakthrough, the situation obliges. We’re going to fight and try to improve our situation.”

“Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara are also training quite normally.  Everything looks good, but it’s been a long, long injury, so we have to be careful. We probably won’t draft him on Sunday. Thiago’s situation is a little different. He hasn’t been away that long, has trained with the team three or four times already and may be available. But we still have to check how he will feel.”

Mikel Arteta  was asked about the selection of players for the upcoming game:

“It depends on the moment, what we want to do, the quality we are seeking and the relationships that we want on certain days. Then obviously you can make five changes in the game, so you have the ability to change the game with those players, which is great for us.”

“It’s much better to have that problem because at the moment they are all looking really good. Normally with players that are very much in contention [we tell them] to understand why we did it or why we made that decision.”

“So it’s clarity and when there is clarity, I think the emotional state of the player is much better to be ready for the club and the team that we are going to be facing on Sunday.”

He also said it is nice to have a player like Trossard since he played at Anfield for Brighton:

“It’s great to have a player that has experience of something really nice and positive from that stadium. He was a crucial player on that day, it was a beautiful game to watch and that’s what we need; players with a lot of belief on that pitch, that we can go there and win it.”

Liverpool vs Arsenal Prediction:

Liverpool retain a mathematical chance of finishing in the top four of the EPL, but it was essentially the match at Stamford Bridge that drew the line under a disappointing 22/23 campaign. The Reds failed to pick up a win, and the quality of their performance was abysmal – far from encouraging for their frustrated fans. Liverpool will undergo a major revamp in the summer, as the British press are reporting heatedly. 

Speaking of Arsenal, the Gunners now have a good chance of breaking their unfortunate streak at Anfield. We believe that Mikel Arteta’s charges will avoid losing to Liverpool at the very least.

We also expect a high-scoring scenario. There should be plenty of goals here – just look at the scores in the Londoners’ last few EPL games. Only one of their last eight games has featured fewer than three goals, and six of the eight have seen at least four goals netted. Liverpool are playing very unevenly in every way, including the offensive aspect, but it is reasonable to think that they will eventually engage in open football here, with the home crowd pushing for it.

Don`t miss out 👉: Manchester United vs Everton: Preview and Prediction

Parimatch News staff prediction:

We say: Arsenal will not lose; both teams will score and the match total will be over 2.5 – Yes.

Comments

0