The Emirates hosts a top of the table clash this weekend as Liverpool make the trip down south to take on title rivals Arsenal.
By Sam McGuire
Mikel Arteta‘s side bounced back from their loss to Bournemouth last weekend with a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday.
They did, however, add to their ever growing injury list. Riccardo Calafiori twisted his knee and is expected to miss the visit of the Premier League leaders. Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber are already doubts for the game, captain Martin Ødegaard is definitely missing while William Saliba is suspended following his red card against the Cherries last Saturday.
A potentially depleted Arsenal side are going to be put to the test. Liverpool may feel as though this is karma. The Reds went to the Emirates last term without a host of names. Andrew Robertson and Darwin Núñez were only fit enough for the bench. Kostas Tsimikas, Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah were all missing with injuries. Trent Alexander-Arnold was carrying a knock and had to be replaced at halftime.
Jürgen Klopp’s men were overwhelmed by their title rivals in a 3-1 loss.
Revenge might be on the agenda for the current league leaders. Under Arne Slot this term, Liverpool have been ruthless. They’ve won 11 of their opening 12 matches. They have a 100% record in the Champions League and are a point clear at the top of the Premier League with 21 points from a possible 24.
This is an opportunity for Slot and his team to make a real statement. It is a chance to show they’re real title contenders with some still believing they’re nothing but pretenders having come up against inferior opposition in games they’ve been expected to win.
Victory at the Emirates would see a lot of people sit up and take note. Of course, Liverpool shouldn’t need to win here to be taken seriously.
The Reds have been the real deal this season. They lead the way for clean sheets with five. They’ve have the best defensive record in the English top-flight having conceded just three goals. Their underlying numbers support their claim of having the best defensive unit in the Premier League too. The Reds have given up chances worth just 6.2 Expected Goals.
For comparison, Arsenal, who built their title challenge last season on solid foundations, have kept just three clean sheets. They’ve conceded eight goals this term and have an Expected Goals Against total of 9.2 – a figure that five teams can better. They aren’t as resilient defensively while their attack isn’t necessarily firing on all cylinders just yet.
The pressure is on the Gunners. How will they deal with that and an injury crisis?
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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