The Liverpool vs Arsenal match will take place this Saturday, February 8, 2014 (4:45 AM Pacific, 12:45 GMT) at Anfield. It is set to be an enticing clash between two of the division’s best performers this season as Liverpool play host to Arsenal on Saturday’s early kick-off.
Liverpool look favourites for the fourth and final Champions League spot, but their slip up against West Bromwich Albion would not have pleased manager Brendan Rodgers. The Reds can ill-afford to make such mistakes too often from now till the end of the season, especially with no less than four teams immediately below them breathing down their necks.
Arsenal are the visitors on Saturday and even though the Gunners are probably the toughest opponents they will have had faced at Anfield this season, the Reds will certainly be looking for maximum points considering their fantastic home record.
Arsenal are currently in a fine run of form, but much like Liverpool, the Londoners have little margin for error if they are to maintain their title onslaught. The Gunners have been leading the division for quite a while now but even a minor hiccup could see them surrender their top spot to either Manchester City or Chelsea.
Liverpool at Anfield are by no means going to be easy opponents, but if Arsenal are to prove that they can indeed bring home the title, then it is games like these in which they should be claiming maximum points in order to send a message to their rivals.
Liverpool
The squad strength of the Liverpool side has been tested to its bare bones this season, due to various injuries. With key players such as Lucas, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique and Mamadou Sakho still unavailable, Rodgers does not have the luxury to make too many changes.
Simon Mignolet will start in goal with Rodgers most probably naming an unchanged backline consisting of Aly Cissokho, Martin Skrtel, Kolo Toure and Jon Flanagan. Joe Allen is back in contention and the Reds’ manager could decide to start with the diminutive player at the middle of the park in place of Philippe Coutinho to negate the threat posed by the supremely talented Arsenal midfield with Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson set to retain their places in the starting lineup as well.
Related: Full Analysis of Liverpool’s Possible Lineup vs Arsenal
The fantastic trio of Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling will be providing the ammunition to the Liverpool attack and will certainly give the Arsenal backline a few problems.
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger will probably have Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky back in contention to start but the Frenchman will be without the services of Theo Walcott, Kim Kallstorm and Mathieu Flamini due to injuries and suspensions.
The formidable backline of Laurent Koscielny, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal and Bacary Sagna look set to retain their place while the likes of Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson will be pushing for starts as well.
Related: Full Analysis of Arsenal’s Possible Lineup vs Liverpool
It will be interesting to see Wenger’s midfield selection on Saturday, as to whether he will continue with Alex Oxlade Chamberlain at the middle of the park or decide to risk Jack Wilshere from the start soon after his recent recovery from an ankle injury. Mikel Arteta, Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla will all probably retain their places in the starting line-up while Olivier Giroud is a certainty to lead the line for the Gunners.
Probable Lineups
Liverpool (Probable XI): Mignolet; Cissokho, Skrtel, Toure, Flanagan; Sturridge, Henderson, Gerrard, Allen, Sterling; Suarez
Arsenal (Probable XI): Szczesny; Monreal, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Sagna; Cazorla, Arteta, Wilshere, Ozil, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Giroud
Form
Liverpool: W D W W D
Arsenal: W W W D W
Last Meeting
02/11/2013 Arsenal 2 – 0 Liverpool
31/07/2013 Arsenal 2 – 2 Liverpool
02/09/2012 Liverpool 0 – 2 Arsenal
Liverpool vs Arsenal Prediction
The clash certainly looks set to be a tight affair with both sides having a good chance of winning it. The two will remain true to their attacking principles but will also be aware on the back of their minds that a defeat could prove costly in their ambitions.
Related: Four Key Battles to Watch in the Liverpool vs Arsenal Match.
A draw probably won’t help either side, so we can expect the both Liverpool and Arsenal to go for it. It is difficult to predict what will happen and a lot will depend on how the pattern of game progresses or which team gets on the scoresheet first. One thing is for sure though; the game will certainly be an exciting one. Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal.
Liverpool vs Arsenal Television
The match will be televised on USA Network, for other countries, check on LiveSoccerTV.
