Two 100% records on the line at Anfield – Liverpool vs. Arsenal Preview

August 23, 2019
Henry Jackson

A mouthwatering Premier League clash awaits on Saturday as Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield, with both teams looking to preserve their 100 percent records.

Liverpool vs. Arsenal

Saturday, August 24, 2019, 5.30pm (BST)
Anfield
Premier League
Referee: Anthony Taylor

Every time this Reds side is challenged, they seem to produce an emphatic response.

Jurgen Klopp‘s team fought their way to a 2-1 win at Southampton last weekend, despite suffering from heavy legs after beating Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup.

The performance wasn’t the most stylish, but it was further evidence of the belief and determination that exists among these players.

Having been afforded a week on the training ground, Liverpool face a potential cracker at home to a dangerous Arsenal outfit on Saturday.

The Gunners have won their opening two league games, like the Reds, and although they are yet to fully click in the final third, they have a plethora of top-class attackers to choose from.

Matches between these two sides are so often classics, with 35 goals in the last seven meetings alone.

It’s hard to see the defences come out on top at Anfield, especially as Liverpool are failing to convince in that area.

The likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have terrorised the north Londoners in the past, however, and they are primed to do the same again.

There are likely to be goals and drama at either end, but ultimately, the superiority of Klopp’s men should shine through.

Team News

Alisson is still unavailable with a calf injury, so Adrian will continue in goal, looking to forget all about his error at Southampton.

Nathaniel Clyne and Naby Keita are also out, but the latter’s return is hopefully not too far away.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson look set to make up Liverpool’s back line, with Joe Gomez missing out.

In midfield, Klopp has a refreshed group of individuals to choose from, so his selections are likely to be a gauge of who he cherishes most in the big games.

Fabinho is a certainty to start, given his influence in the No. 6 role, with Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum the favourites to be used alongside him.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the more exciting option, bringing guile and an ability to break the lines, while James Milner is always a dependable alternative.

Salah, Mane and Firmino are all fit and raring to go, so there is no reason for Klopp to leave any of them out.

Arsenal are without new signings William Saliba and Kieran Tierney, while Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil may miss out, too.

Unai Emery could go with the same side that won 2-1 at home to Burnley last Saturday, but starting youngsters Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson would be a risk.

Potential Arsenal XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Monreal; Guendouzi, Ceballos, Willock; Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang

Last 5 at Home to Arsenal (All Competitions)

Won 5-1 – December 2018 (Firmino x3, Mane, Salah; Maitland-Niles)
Won 4-0 – August 2017 (Firmino, Mane, Salah, Sturridge)
Won 3-1 – March 2017 (Firmino, Mane, Wijnaldum; Welbeck)
Drew 3-3 – January 2016 (Firmino x2, Allen; Ramsey, Giroud x2)
Drew 2-2 – December 2014 (Coutinho, Skrtel; Debuchy, Giroud)

Did You Know?

Last weekend’s victory at Southampton saw Liverpool equal their best-ever winning run in the Premier League, with 11.

A win on Saturday would see the Reds not only eclipse that but also draw level with the best run in the club’s history, set by Sir Kenny Dalglish‘s side back in 1990.

It further highlights how special this team is.

Klopp’s View

Speaking to the press on Friday, Klopp hailed the current team spirit that exists among his Champions League-winning players:

“The spirit in the team could not be better in the moment, they won the Champions League last season together, and won [30 games in the league].

“If they would not be close [after that], that would be really funny.

“They’re very close, but what you need is a competitive team spirit as well, you have kick the butts of your team-mates in the right moment.

“You need a very competitive team spirit to be really difficult to beat and all that stuff.

“It’s not about wanting to have a drink together every night, it’s about doing the right things and knowing much better than others for whom you are doing it.

“For your mate, for your best friend maybe, for whatever.”