Liverpool vs Arsenal – English Premier League – Preview

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Sreya

Arsenal face a tough test in their bid to maintain the first position on the top of the English Premier League standings as they travel to Anfield to face Liverpool on Wednesday. Liverpool are on the eighth position with thirty points while Arsene Wenger’s side have amassed forty two points from twenty games played so far.

In what is the most high-profile midweek fixture of the league, Jurgen Klopp’s side will host the Gunners on the back of a 2-0 loss at West Ham United. Arsenal, on the other hand, have won five of their last six Premier League games.

Team News

Joseph Gomez, Danny Ings, Martin Skrtl, Divock Origi, Philippe Coutinho, Dejan Lovren, Jordan Rossiter and Jon Flanagan are confirmed absentees for the home side. Jordan Henderson is likely to return to the matchday squad. With both Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure being in danger of missing the match, Klopp could be forced to field a makeshift centre-back pairing. Jordon Ibe and Daniel Sturridge are set to undergo late fitness tests.

Arsenal are without Francis Coquelin, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Alexis Sanchez, Tomas Rosicky and Danny Welbeck but there are no fresh injury concerns for the visitors.

Thoughts From Both Camps

“Arsenal, together with City, are the two best teams at this moment in the Premier League. To stay in a good position against Man City, they need all the points, they cannot (pick and choose) where they want to get it. They will show us that they have real ambitions this year. They’re in a good moment.

We can be, we’re not that consistent in the performances in the last weeks but Stoke was a good sign of what my team is capable of.”

– Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool.

“We are used to that pressing – it is not just Liverpool who do that, everybody in the modern game. I think he is a great manager but we have different styles. But I think he has done very well in the job. You have to play with your style and what you believe is strong.”

– Arsene Wenger, Arsenal.

Contributor’s Pick

According to Head-2-Head statistics, Liverpool have won only one of their last six meetings with Arsenal, losing three among those. Klopp would however take heart from the fact that the Kops put up exceptional showings against Chelsea and Leicester City in past.

On current form, Arsenal are expected to win with a scoreline of 3-1 in favor of the visitors being the most probable one.