For a while, the clash between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield was circled in the calendar as a potential title decider. Here we are now though, the Reds are champions and the Gunners, without really realising, find themselves in a battle to claim a Champions League place.
By Sam McGuire
The match on Sunday might not be as important as it could’ve been, but it’s still massive.
An Arsenal capitulation?
Believe it or not, Arsenal have taken just six points from their last five Premier League matches. This collapse is why Liverpool were able to claim the title with four games to spare. The Gunners just stopped putting pressure on the Reds.
As a result, Mikel Arteta’s side found themselves ninth in the form table heading in to the weekend. Their season really has fizzled out. Their title challenge ended in April. Their pursuit of Champions League glory ended in Paris on Wednesday night with a 3-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal now find themselves in a strange predicament. They start the match on Sunday two points Manchester City, after the former champions drew with Southampton on Saturday. They might also be just three points clear of Newcastle and Chelsea. They still have to face the Magpies before the season comes to an end too.
So, they went from being in a fairly comfortable position to potentially needing to win two of the next three to claim a Champions League place. Getting up for these games will be a big ask following the disappointment of losing to PSG.
Attacking myths
All you hear from Arsenal fans and pundits is that the Gunners need a striker to transform them from runners-up into champions.
But how true is that narrative?
The data seems to dispute this idea. Arteta’s side are fourth in the English top-flight for goals this term with 64. Only Liverpool (81), Newcastle (66) and Manchester City (67) have more. Yes, they’re significantly behind the champions, but they’re not far off of their other rivals.
What is interesting is when you look at their underlying numbers. Arsenal are seventh in terms of Expected Goals with 56. It highlights their creative issues rather than their inability to finish. If anything, their overperformance in finishing has saved their campaign. Adding a striker to the mix won’t help if you’re simply unable to create. They’re sixth in big chances created with 101, a stat that further backs up the idea they aren’t much of a creative threat, despite the narratives suggesting otherwise.
Arteta’s system isn’t one that gets the best out of attackers. He’s not been let down by the board not signing a striker. He’s let his attackers down by shackling them.
What reception will Alexander-Arnold get?
This is the first game for Trent Alexander-Arnold since he announced he would be leaving Liverpool on a free transfer.
The right-back is expected to join Real Madrid in July, though Los Blancos want him earlier for the Club World Cup. The England international released a video, and a statement, earlier in the week explaining it was a difficult decision and he wanted to get out of his comfort zone.
While rivals and journalists have had their say on this and believe he should be thanked for his time at the club, Liverpool fans, at least those online, feel a little differently. It’ll be interesting to see what sort of reception he will get from an Anfield crowd that will be in celebratory mode following the title win over Spurs.
In fact, it’ll be interesting to see if Arne Slot even starts the No. 66. The Dutchman might favour Conor Bradley there given he’ll likely be starting for the Reds in that role next season.
A record for Salah?
Mohamed Salah is just one goal involvement away from matching the record held by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer. The duo lead the way with 47, though they achieved this in a 42 game campaign.
The Liverpool No. 11 is two goals off 30 for the Premier League campaign and two assists away from 20. If he does the latter, he’ll be the first player since Thierry Henry to hit 20+ goals and manage 20+ assists in a single season. Records could tumble for the soon-to-be four-time Golden Boot winner.
And he has a fairly good record against the Gunners, with a goal in each of his last three games against them and five in his last seven.
Injuries
Liverpool are still without Joe Gomez while Arsenal will be without Gabriel, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz for the trip to Anfield.
Slot made changes to his starting XI for the game against Chelsea last weekend but you have to assume the Dutch tactician will go strong against Arsenal to make a statement. He’ll also want his key players in the starting XI for the guard of honour they so richly deserve.
Prediction
We’re going with a 3-1 win for Liverpool. The Reds will want to make a point and Arsenal may be feeling the effects of crashing out of the Champions League.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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