Liverpool have a stern test awaiting them next in the Premier League as Jurgen Klopp’s under-fire Reds welcome the table toppers Arsenal to Anfield this Sunday.
While the league leaders Arsenal will be out seeking an eighth-straight Premier League win, the home side Liverpool will be hoping to bounce back from a three-game winless run in top flight action with the Merseysiders taking just one point from the nine available.
A nil-nil stalemate last time out against Chelsea was a result that would have been of much more satisfaction to Liverpool who were clearly the second-best side at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea left to rue two disallowed strikes from Kai Havertz and Reece James which would have won them the home contest.
Still in the hunt for Champions League qualification, three losses and a draw from their last four games in all tournaments has been a major concern for the embattled Klopp who nevertheless remains confident that he would not meet the same fate as Graham Potter who was handed the sack last weekend after Chelsea’s disappointing run of form.
Liverpool sit in the eighth spot going ahead of the upcoming clash against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, 10 points off the Champions League spots, and a positive result on Sunday evening could be just the confidence booster required at Anfield heading towards the close of the season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been upbeat in their recent performances and would be delighted to have the returning Gabriel Jesus back to his prolific self in front of the goal with the Brazilian striker netting twice in his side’s 4-1 win over Leeds United.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Sunday 9 April 2023
Time: 8 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool could have their Spanish maestro Thiago Alcantara fit to feature in the weekend’s Anfield showdown against Arsenal with the former Bayern Munich man returning from a hip injury.
Luis Diaz is expected to be another first-team regular whose lenghty spell on the sidelines could finally be coming to an end but Jurgen Klopp is likely to rest the Columbian for another week as a precaution =.
Star centre-back Virgil van Dijk appears to have fully recovered from the illness that sidelined him from the goalless draw away at Chelsea and the Dutchman could make his way back into the XI on Sunday.
Midfielders Naby Keita and Stefan Bajcetic are set to miss the rest of the season with injuries.
KEY BATTLE
Mohamed Salah vs Gabriel Jesus
Salah was left on the bench for the Chelsea clash last time out and with the Egyptian winger all but certain to return to the team sheet, the Anfield faithful would be hoping for the Reds talisman to make an impact for his side.
Arsenal forward Jesus was in lethal touch against Leeds as he broke a 14-game goal drought stretching back to October and the Brazilian would be out to trouble a Liverpool backline which has not looked convincing this season.
MATCH PREDICTION
Arsenal would be seen as the strong favourites to clinch the three points up for grabs despite Liverpool’s inspired run of form on home turf.
Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal
