Liverpool v Arsenal preview, predictions & possible XIs
The Premier League’s only remaining sides with 100% records go head-to-head at Anfield on Saturday evening.
Liverpool, hoping to end a 30-year championship drought this season, welcome Unai Emery’s rejuvenated Arsenal team who have endured hardships on recent visits.
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But they couldn’t have started this campaign any better; a narrow 1-0 victory away to Newcastle United was followed by a hardfought 2-1 win against Burnley at home.
As for Liverpool, they’d brush newly-promoted Norwich City aside 4-1 before eking out a 2-1 success on the south coast at Southampton’s expense.
One or both records will fall this weekend making this encounter all the more intriguing – but who to back?
Read on for our predictions, key players, TV info and team news.
When is Liverpool v Arsenal and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Anfield
Date: Saturday 24 August
Kick-off: 5.30pm BST
TV coverage: UK residents can watch the game on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, channels 401 and 402 respectively on Sky, and channels 501 and 502 respectively for Virgin Media users.
Last five meetings: Liverpool v Arsenal
29 December 2018: Liverpool 5-1 Arsenal
3 November 2018: Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
22 December 2017: Arsenal 3-3 Liverpool
27 August 2017: Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal
4 March 2017: Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Aggregate score: Liverpool (WDDWW) 16-6 Arsenal (LDDLL)
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Ones to watch
Liverpool: Sadio Mane
Last season Sadio Mane enjoyed his most productive campaign as a professional footballer. The energetic Senegalese forward registered 26 goals across 50 matches with 22 of those coming in the league alone. He truly emerged as Liverpool’s go-to man and, following a busy summer, Mane has picked up from where he left off. A brace in their Uefa Super Cup win over Chelsea saw him strike against Southampton and he’s got a very decent record v Arsenal (seven goals in 10 previous appearances).
Key stat: No one has scored more Premier League goals in 2019 than Mane (15).
Arsenal: Dani Ceballos
He may be at Arsenal for one season, but Dani Ceballos is on course to make a big impact. The metronomic Spanish midfielder put on a standout display in the Gunners recent win over Burnley and is expected to play an important role here. Where he is deployed remains unanswered, as Ceballos can either play as a number eight or ten. Either way, given that supremacy in midfield is paramount for a good result, a lot could rest on the shoulders of the Real Madrid loanee.
Key stat: Ceballos has created as many goals for Arsenal (2) as he did for Real Madrid in 54 fewer games.
Team news
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp is still without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson meaning there will be another start for Adrian, who is yet to keep a clean sheet as a Liverpool player. Elsewhere, there’s no Naby Keita, who still remains sidelined with a muscle injury, meaning we are likely to see a familiar midfield consisting of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Predicted XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold; Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Arsenal
Doubts over Mesut Ozil could see Dani Ceballos being moved into the number 10 position in favour of Joe Willock. Nicolas Pépé should make his first start for Arsenal here with Sokratis and David Luiz continuing their central defensive partnership.
Predicted XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Monreal; Guendouzi, Xhaka; Pepe, Ceballos, Aubameyang; Lacazette
Squawka prediction
Liverpool are yet to hit their stride but Klopp’s men have enough going forward to trouble Arsenal’s defence, meaning it is crucial that Arsenal come out on top in the battle for control of the midfield. If they can, then the likes of Pépé and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can profit. But home advantage and recent performances suggest it should be another disappointing evening for the north Londoners.
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
