Date :Saturday 24th August
Time:5:30pm
Stadium Anfield
Referee Anthony Taylor (England)
Goal Scorer:
Team News:
Liverpool
Liverpool come into this game after their narrow escape at St. Mary’s last Saturday. In that game, possibly because of exhaustion from the UEFA Super Cup that was played earlier that week, Liverpool were noticeably under par compared to their general standards. Yet, they managed to sneak in a win. On Saturday however, they face up to Arsenal who will prove far trickier opponents than the Saints. Although the recent head-to-head stats are heavily in Liverpool’s favour, they should be wary of Arsenal’s attack. Jurgen Klopp will hope for a much better performance in the midfield and in defense from his side, as compared to the game at Saints. He will also caution his side from committing any errors that could tilt the balance in favour of the visitors.
Arsenal
Unai Emery’s team has started the season well with a 1-0 away win against Newcastle United, followed by a 2-1 home win against Burnley. In Lacazette and Aubameyang, Arsenal have two of some of the best forwards in the league and they have been great in the first two games, giving the club-record signing Nicolas Pepe to settle in more easily. Emery will be confident of his forward line testing Liverpool’s defence. However, he will hope that his defence has a better game on Saturday than the one against Burnley.
For Arsenal, Granit Xhaka and Mesut Ozil have both recovered from their respective injuries and ailments. While Xhaka may make the starting lineup, Ozil will most likely start on the bench. Club-record signing Nicolas Pepe could also start on Saturday. Joe Willock and Reiss Nelson have been surprise starters in Arsenal’s first two league matches but both youngsters will likely start this game on the bench.
INTERESTING STATS
Quote
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last eight matches against Arsenal in all competitions (W4 D4). They have not had a run comparable to this since February 2000. On the other hand, Arsenal are without a win in their last six league visits to Anfield (W0 D2 L4), conceding two or more goals in each match (22 in total).
This will be the 55th Premier League fixture between these two sides. No other Premier League fixture has seen more goals than this one – 155 goals in 54 games. This fixture has also seen the most number of hat-tricks (6 in total).
Anfield has generally been unfavourable to the Gunners. Arsenal have lost 13 Premier League away games versus Liverpool. They have lost more only at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
Liverpool have won 11 consecutive Premier League matches, equaling their best-ever winning streak in the competition, previously set between February and April 2014 under Brendan Rodgers. Victory on Saturday will see Liverpool equal their longest winning run in league competition (12 wins set between April to October 1990). Liverpool have also gone 41 Premier League games without defeat at Anfield (W31 D10), a run lasting two years and 123 days since Sam Allardyce’s West Ham beat them 1-2 in 2017.
Arsenal meanwhile, will be looking to win their first three games of a top-flight season for the ninth time in their history and for the first time since 2004-05.
This will be the 55th Premier League fixture between these two sides. No other Premier League fixture has seen more goals than this one – 155 goals in 54 games. This fixture has also seen the most number of hat-tricks (6 in total).
Anfield has generally been unfavourable to the Gunners. Arsenal have lost 13 Premier League away games versus Liverpool. They have lost more only at Old Trafford against Manchester United.
Liverpool have won 11 consecutive Premier League matches, equaling their best-ever winning streak in the competition, previously set between February and April 2014 under Brendan Rodgers. Victory on Saturday will see Liverpool equal their longest winning run in league competition (12 wins set between April to October 1990). Liverpool have also gone 41 Premier League games without defeat at Anfield (W31 D10), a run lasting two years and 123 days since Sam Allardyce’s West Ham beat them 1-2 in 2017.
Arsenal meanwhile, will be looking to win their first three games of a top-flight season for the ninth time in their history and for the first time since 2004-05.
KEY MEN
ROBERTO FIRMINO
Firmino loves playing against Arsenal. He has scored more Premier League goals against Arsenal than he has against any other side (8 in 8 games). He has netted in all four of his Premier League appearances against Arsenal at Anfield, scoring 7 goals and assisting 2. He is also just one goal away from becoming the first Brazilian in the Premier League to score 50 league goals. Jurgen Klopp will fervently hope for Firmino to achieve this landmark on Saturday. Firmino’s xG per 90 of 0.70 and xA per 90 of 0.18 indicate that there is a pretty good chance of that happening.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG
Unlike Firmino, Aubameyang does not have an exceptional record against Top Six sides, scoring three goals in 13 Premier League games against them, averaging a goal every 356 minutes In games against non-Top Six sides, he has scored 31 times in 38 games, averaging a goal every 94 minutes. However, as his two goals for Gunners this season show, he has the potential to hurt Liverpool’s defence, especially if they commit any errors or if they are slow to the ball. Aubameyang’s xG90 of 0.46 and xA90 of 0.06 indicate a fifty-fifty chance of him contributing a goal on Saturday.
Prediction: Liverpool 3 – 1 Arsenal
| Posted: at | |
Baye77
TRENDING GISTS 
"Emefiele, Kanu Arrested Arbitrarily As Pre-Trial Detention Persists In Nigeria" – US Govt Says
Popular Ghanaian Media Personality, Serwaa Amihere Finally Reacts To Her Leaked S3x Tape
VIDEO: "Portable's Many Wives Linked To Poverty" - Isaac Fayose Reveals
BREAKING: Tragedy As 4 Year Old Boy Dies In Abuja School Amid Suspicion Of Foul Play