Liverpool will host Arsenal with both teams at the top of the Premier League table. At this stage, the Gunners lead their Merseyside rivals by one point. Aston Villa is also very close behind and ready to take advantage of any mistakes made by their podium opponents.
Preview (Liverpool vs. Arsenal)
Manchester United prepared to give Liverpool a 90-minute chagrin last weekend. Jurgen Klopp’s team relentlessly attacked the Red Devils’ door in an attempt to win. They will refuse to give any early Christmas presents to their fierce rivals. Man United went home with a point despite Liverpool having an incredible 34 shots. It was the most they have had in a Premier League game without scoring since 2003.
Liverpool’s performance in Wednesday’s EFL Cup quarterfinal matchup against West Ham United was far from the merciless attacking unit that defeated the Red Devils 7-1 in March. However, Klopp’s team brought back the blue-touch paper with a five-star performance that secured a 5-1 victory and advanced to face Fulham in the semi-finals. However, Klopp acknowledged that he was disappointed by what he perceived to be a lack of Anfield atmosphere in midweek after watching his charges lose points at home for the first time this season over the weekend. Klopp then issued a rallying cry to supporters as Liverpool looks to avoid losing scoreless in back-to-back Premier League home games for the first time since March 2021.
Before losing to the Red Devils’ defensive dominance, the hosts had bulged the net in 26 straight Premier League games. However, their current winning streak in the league is 10 games, and it has been almost 14 months since Leeds United’s last home loss to Liverpool in the top flight. Since Brighton & Hove Albion shot to prominence, Arsenal supporters have become all too familiar with the Seagulls’ home losses. However, last weekend at the Emirates, Mikel Arteta’s team clipped the wings of Roberto De Zerbi’s team, and they took back the top spot in the standings. Arteta’s team could now be atop the rankings on Christmas Day for the second year.
Team News
With all of Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (hip), Joel Matip (ACL), Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Alexis Mac Allister (knee), Diogo Jota (muscle), and recent knee casualty Ben Doak unavailable, a few long-term Liverpool absentees will still be able to watch from the sidelines this weekend. It was initially thought that Ryan Gravenberch had injured his hamstring against Manchester United last weekend. The former Bayern Munich player was only experiencing delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS). After taking a midweek break, Gravenberch is expected to rejoin the team on Saturday.
But Gravenberch could have to settle for a berth among the substitutes. Curtis Jones has gained Klopp’s attention after an outstanding brace in Wednesday’s victory over West Ham. Dominik Szoboszlai also answered criticism recently with a spectacular first-half goal. Similarly, Jurien Timber (knee), Fabricio Vieira (groin), Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), and Thomas Partey (thigh), who has the least chance of playing, will not be available for Arsenal when they travel to Merseyside.
Myles Lewis-Skelly and Emile Smith Rowe were Arsenal’s sole alternatives off the bench against Brighton due to new injuries to Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) and Jorgeninho (foot), which have further hampered Arsenal’s midfield reserves. However, the former pair is fighting to prove their health in time for Saturday. But neither player should push their way into an established Arsenal starting lineup that currently selects itself. Havertz looks to build on his November Player of the Month award-winning performance.
Liverpool 2 – 2 Arsenal
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