ARSENAL VS. LIVERPOOL
| Thursday, January 8th |
Premier League | Emirates
8PM GMT/3PM EST
Liverpool haven’t lost in nine matches, an impressive feat given their struggles through the autumn that at one point saw them closer
to the relegation places than the top of the table. The title may very much still seem well out of reach this season, but the Reds are at least fourth and seem to have managed to stop the bleeding.
The mood, though, remains a touch sour given they’ve stopped the bleeding by embracing an ultra-conservative, low-incident approach that seeks first to limit the opposition and accepts Liverpool’s own attacking play is going to suffer for it. It is, not to put too fine a point on it, not a lot of fun to watch. And on paper, one would expect for league leaders Arsenal to take advantage of that, and the Gunners are widely and rightly seen as favourites.
Yet Arsenal themselves are a side built for an ultra-conservative, low-incident approach. Manager Mikel Arteta has built the world’s greatest Stoke City cover band, stacking the pitch with defenders and playing for set-piece opportunities—something which nobody is better than them at. Oh, and Liverpool? They’re terrible at that. Like worst in the league terrible when you combine attacking and defensive set-piece ranking.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Alisson; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Mac Allister; Gakpo
So. Arsenal are better than Liverpool this season. And Arsenal are better at ultra-conservative, low-incident football that relies on set-piece excellence far more than it does open play fluidity. Which, as we said, widely and rightly seen as favourites. Liverpool, though, might be expected to turn up the intensity at least a little for these opponents in a way that perhaps they couldn’t manage when the opposition was Leeds and Sunderland.
Also, well, ultra-conservative, low-incident football can leave a side vulnerable to being hit by a low percentage shot from distance or a deflected goal. At which point, well, that side often simply isn’t built to go all fluid and really fight back on the attack. Which is to say, hey, Liverpool could get lucky. Hell, this side is probably overdue for a little luck. So. You never know.
On the injury front, outside of long-term absences including Alexander Isak and Wataru Endo as well as with Mohamed Salah occupied by the small matter of the Africa Cup of Nations, the main question mark is around Hugo Ekitike, who is expected to be a late decision and in any case may not be considered for the start.
The Managers Have Their Say
Arne Slot: “We are now 14 points behind Arsenal so it’s another challenge for us, with of course players being out but still enough very good players available to go to make it a proper fight.”
Mikel “Tony Pulis” Arteta: “We’re very excited. It’s a massive game against the champions and we have a point to prove, so we’re going to have our crowd creating an amazing atmosphere.”
The Officials
Referee: Anthony Taylor Assistants: Gary Beswick Adam Nunn Fourth Official: Simon Hooper VAR: John Brooks
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