Liverpool face Arsenal at Anfield in a festive blockbuster showdown in the Premier League title race.
Separated by just one point in second and first positions respectively coming into this matchweek, victory would see Liverpool or Arsenal spend Christmas sat top of the table.
Team News
Ryan Gravenberch could return for Liverpool after he missed their Carabao Cup win over West Ham in midweek, due to a hamstring injury which he suffered in their goalless draw against Manchester United last weekend.
Ben Doak, Alexis Mac Allister (both knee), Diogo Jota (muscle), Joel Matip (ACL), Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Stefan Bajcetic (calf) and Thiago Alcantara (hip) remain absent.
Arsenal could welcome Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) back into contention but Jorginho (foot) is unlikely to be fit enough for selection.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Jurrien Timbers (knee), Fabio Vieira (groin) and Thomas Partey (muscle) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday 23 December in a 5:30pm GMT kick-off, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool have claimed 13 points from their last six league meetings against Arsenal (W4, D1, L1).
- Arsenal are winless in their last 10 league visits to Anfield (D3, L7).
- Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Martinelli scored in each of the two meetings between Liverpool and Arsenal last season, although only Arsenal’s Martinelli is still present at his club.
- Liverpool have never played out two conscutive goalless draws at home under Jurgen Klopp in the Premier League
- Leandro Trossard has been brought on as a substitute for Arsenal than any other player in the top-flight this season.
Prediction
After stumbling their way to a goalless draw at home to Man Utd with little end product quality, Liverpool certainly turned on the professionalism in a clinical demolition of West Ham despite resting key players, so it will be interesting to see what sort of team turns up here.
If we see the same performance which was served against Man Utd then Arsenal surely will punish their sloppiness, but if they play like they did on Wednesday evening then they certainlt should be favourites if can start and stay on the front foot throughout.
Arsenal meanwhile were simply clinical and in control throughout against Brighton and will surely look to do the same here, yet they must be wary of Liverpool’s quality and raw pace when can get on the attack with momentum in their favour.
This clash also has the Xmas no.1 position in the table at stake so I do expect a good competitive clash between two strong sides, although a draw might be the fairest outcome if there aren’t many defensive mistakes.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal
Result: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
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