Liverpool host Arsenal in a massive clash this weekend that will most likely determine which of the two teams goes into Christmas as league leaders. Mikel Arteta’s Gunners lead Jurgen Klopp’s Reds by a single point going into this clash, which means the winner will top the table on Christmas day. A draw however could see Unai Emery’s Aston Villa move to the top at the expense of both sides.
Liverpool drew 0-0 against Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United last weekend- a result many Reds supporters saw as two points lost. The hosts, playing in front of a record home crowd of over 57,000 dominated their opponents in almost all facets of the game. Klopp’s men had more than two-thirds of the ball, had 34 shots (effectively meaning a shot on United’s goal every 3 minutes), and had a whopping 12 corners (United had none), but somehow didn’t find the back of the net. It, as Klopp said in his interview afterwards, was pretty much a perfect performance in many aspects of the game- pressing, recovering possession, limiting the opposition, but unfortunately there was no goal scored to put the icing on the cake.
Two of Liverpool’s best chances came from corners, with centre-backs Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk both going close with headers. United were restricted to just 6 shots, with their best chance going to forward Rasmus Hojlund after the interval, but Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker was up to the task and denied the Dane.
The stakes are high for this LFC game against the Gunners, and not surprisingly, the pre-game odds on the Lottoland sportsbook suggest this will be a tough one to call, with Liverpool marginally ahead because they have home advantage. The Reds, as you might remember, are yet to be beaten at home this season in the league.
Looking at the post-game stats, Arsenal’s game last weekend against Brighton, was, in many ways, similar to Liverpool’s game against United. However, where the Reds failed, the Gunners did not- they made their pressure count in the form of second half goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. On another day, Mikel Arteta’s side could’ve easily won this by four or five goals, and this was a big statement against a Brighton side that did the league double over them last season.
(Log going into this blockbuster clash- Arsenal ahead of Liverpool by a single point)
The corresponding fixture last season at Anfield saw Arsenal race to a 2-0 lead inside 30 minutes, only for Liverpool to claw their way back and draw 2-2, with Roberto Firmino scoring an 87th minute equaliser. In a way, that result essentially set Arsenal’s league collapse into motion- they collected only two points from their next three games after the LFC fixture, and ended up surrendering the title to Manchester City despite having a healthy lead over the Citizens.
Arsenal have not won at Anfield in over a decade (their last triumph was back in 2012), and victory here this weekend will reinforce the belief among Gunners fans that this really might be the year when they break their long-standing league title drough