Ross – @rossic89
Just three games remain for the Premier League Champions and with it a slim chance to break the record points total set by CAS. Sorry, Man City. It is also another opportunity for youth and ‘fringe’ players to assert their place in the Liverpool side for next season or to put themselves in the shop window. Only time will tell I suppose. The Opposition For all the ‘banter’ and clips of AFTV doing the rounds Arsenal haven’t been that bad. A glance at the Premier League table probably doesn’t help their case. And when I say glance, it’s a big old stare down to 9th. Nearly gave myself a fucking nose bleed. BUT, recent form suggests things may not be as easy as we perceive. A recent loss to North London rivals Tottenham isn’t ideal preparation for Mikel Arteta and neither will the disastrous defending. A common theme of Arsenals season. Or past few season for that matter. The Gunners have amassed 13 points out of the last possible 18 including away trips to Sheffield United and Wolves, not an easy feat by anyones standards. Going forward is Arsenal’s main threat, obviously. Lacazette was on the score sheet versus Spurs and Aubameyang has three goals in his last four games. Nicolas Pépé who has been somewhat of a disappointment (considering his price) has even found the back of the net since the return of football. It’s so easy to look at all the mistakes at Arsenal and where they have gone wrong, the fact their defence looks more like Fraggle Rock than an actual rock does them no favours. A nineties reference there for anyone who didn’t get it. Look it up. But their forwards will be brimming with confidence and will want to challenge themselves against the best, the Premier League Champions. LIVERPOOL. The team that has only conceded 27 goals in the League. The team with van Dijk doing headed-keepy-ups at the back. The mad, sexy wall of brilliance. Not that Aubameyang has anything to prove but I’m sure he will want to impress his old boss Jurgen and he might be one of those playing for a move after he is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal. AND he’s still in with a shout of the golden boot with Jamie Vardy currently three goals ahead of him and with Leicester in some sort of domestic free fall, he might fancy his chances. Having said that, there’s two Liverpool players hot on the heels of Aubameyang too. Arsenal are a bit like Liverpool when Jurgs first came in, all the fire power up top and as useful as a chocolate tea pot at the back. And with European places pretty much out of reach they’ve nothing to lose, they’ll be GUNNING – see what I did? – for goals. Although they do have to be careful they don’t get embarrassed. Bobby Firmino has a great record against them and I’m not entirely sure Danny Ceballos has fully recovered being absolutely ruined by him in the home fixture. (Video below)According to my SofaScore research Arsenal tend to play a 3-4-3 with attacking full backs such as Bellerin and Tierney tracking back to er…shore up the defence…… Could be a dangerous game versus Liverpool’s attacking threat and not just the front three, our full backs, our extra midfielders and possibly Alisson if he fancies it. Ultimately what I’m saying is Arsenal could cause us problems but they are just as likely to cause their own. Injuries and suspensions: Chambers, Leno, Mari, Martinelli, Nketiah (Sus) SEE ALSO: Mesut Ozil Being assessed ahead of Liverpool (h) following back soreness. SOUNDS FAMILIAR (Eyes emoji)Firmino takes on Ceballos on Saturday ????
— EPL Watch Official (@eplwatch__) August 25, 2019
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The Reds Not much to report on the reds really, the only question is how Klopp approaches this. And what I mean by that is he obviously wants to win every game, but his job is to manage people, to manage fitness and with a quick turn around to next season he could feasibly use this time to prepare his players. I’m not saying that is what he will do, but as many fans have become obsessed with breaking the points record, even more so with the City news this week, it is also important to maintain some perspective. The main objective for this season has been complete. Fuck, the main objective for the past 30 years has been complete. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to become the points record holders but at what cost? When you have the time to bed in youth or those who really need the fitness or game time under their belts you can gain an understanding of why Klopp might do that. We’ve nothing to lose so don’t risk injury/fatigue if you don’t need to. Liverpool will of course be without captain Jordan Henderson for this one so there is a place in midfield up for grabs, who that will be I obviously have no idea. For what it is worth I’d go with Fab, Gini and Naby. I get the shout for Curtis Jones but I think with the way Arsenal set up and play you need the Fab/Gini midfield to help the full backs and stop the middle of the park from being overrun. Bring Jones on when we are 4-0 up imo. Other than that Lallana won’t play as Klopp has already said and I suspect unless he is needed Lovren might be the same with reports this week suggesting he is on the verge of a move to Zenit St Petersburg. After he’s signed a new deal that is. The Stats (Credit: Stat Zone) I’m going to pick out a few of my favourite stats provided by Stat Zone and basically use it as propaganda to make it sound like this is 3 points in the bag already.
- Arsenal are winless in their last nine Premier League meetings with Liverpool (D4 L5) since a 4-1 victory at the Emirates in April 2015. (via @StatsZone)
- Arsenal have conceded 90 goals against Liverpool in the Premier League, more than they have versus any other side in the competition (1.6 per game). In their entire league history, the Gunners have only conceded more goals against Manchester United (305) than they have versus Liverpool (285). (via @StatsZone)
- Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is unbeaten in his eight Premier League games against Arsenal (W5 D3), with the Reds netting 26 goals in those games. He’s only faced Everton (9) more often without defeat in the competition, while only against Watford (27) has his side scored more goals. (via @StatsZone)
