We pick out the five match-ups that could define today’s crucial Premier League clash.
Arsenal travel to Merseyside to face Liverpool this afternoon with both sides looking to put some indifferent form this season behind them and put together a run to break into the top four in the Premier League – where both sides were able to finish last season.
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Arsenal are in a far better place than their hosts right now, however, and arguably start as favourites for the game – although Liverpool will hope to build on a midweek League Cup win over Bournemouth.
These are the five key battles that we expect to be pivotal to the game’s outcome:
Alberto Moreno vs. Alexis Sanchez
We would expect Brendan Rodgers to stick with the three-at-the-back system that has provided a few signs of life for Liverpool over the last two games, but whoever plays at left wing back is likely to come up against a player who has been in destructive form lately. Alexis Sanchez is certainly Arsenal’s biggest threat and, if it is Alberto Moreno who lines up against the Chilean, he will have to curb his attacking instincts and try and keep the former Barcelona man quiet.
Raheem Sterling vs. Per Mertesacker
Young England winger Raheem Sterling is certainly the most potent attacking threat that will be on show for Liverpool – and Rodgers is likely for the lightning quick teenager to target Arsenal centre back Per Mertesacker on account of the German’s notorious lack of pace and mobility. Arsenal will have to play a sensible defensive line and look for Mertesacker to nullify Sterling through intelligent positioning and physical presence, whilst his teammates will certainly also have to help him out.
Dejan Lovren vs. Olivier Giroud
Liverpool centre back Dejan Lovren has been in awful form for the Reds since he signed from Southampton for a huge fee of £20 million in the summer, whilst Olivier Giroud has been red hot for Arsenal since he returned from injury recently. It is not a match up that Liverpool fans will feel particularly confident about, but they will be hoping that Lovren is finally able to step up and begin justifying his price tag against the French international.
Philippe Coutinho vs. Francis Coquelin
Having been recalled from a successful loan spell with Championship outfit Charlton Athletic recently, Francis Coquelin could be thrown in at the deep end as Arsenal’s holding midfielder at Anfield. Coquelin also had a useful time with Freiburg in the Bundesliga last season, but he has few Arsenal appearances too his name, meaning that Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho is likely to target Coquelin as a player he can get the better of and find the space he needs to run a game.
Brad Jones vs. Arsenal
It is fair to say that reserve goalkeeper Brad Jones has not covered himself in glory with some of the goals that Liverpool have conceded since he replaced Simon Mignolet in the first team, but with the Belgian dropped for an “indefinite” period of time, it is likely that Jones will start again. Arsenal will know about his vulerability and looks to test him with some long shots and balls into the box, particularly in the opening stages, and Liverpool need Jones to hold firm.