Liverpool and Arsenal are two of the hottest teams in English football at the moment. Jurgen Klopp’s side picked up where they left off after winning the Premier League in 2019-20. They are unbeaten in two straight league games.
Arsenal won the FA Cup and defeated Liverpool for the Community Shield on penalties. They followed up those victories by claiming back to back wins to start the new league season.
Now, Liverpool host Arsenal on matchday 3 in a massive fixture that should have implications on the title this term. Monday night’s game could be the first of two meetings next week. Liverpool and Arsenal, for the second season in a row, drew each other in the Carabao Cup.
The Gunners won their midweek Carabao Cup match versus Leicester City 2-0 thanks to an own goal from Christian Fuchs and a late strike from Eddie Nketiah.
Liverpool also won in midweek defeating Lincoln City 7-2. Takumi Minamino, Curtis Jones, and Xherdan Shaqiri starred and all three will be in line to make the bench.
Klopp is likely to play a similar team to the one he picked at Chelsea last weekend. Fabinho and Virgil Van Dijk are likely to be paired in central defence. Thiago Alcantara will start at the base of the midfield three as Jordan Henderson is unlikely to play due to a thigh strain.
Joel Matip and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain are ruled out. Joe Gomez is a doubt for the game meaning Fabinho should remain in central defence, where he played well against Chelsea.
Arsenal have a number of defensive injuries as Pablo Mari, Shkodran Mustafi, Emile Smith Rowe, Sokratis, Kieran Tierney, and Calum Chambers are all either ruled out or doubts for the game. Liverpool could take advantage of those injury issues manager Mikel Arteta has in defence.
Liverpool are unbeaten in 11 of their last 12 games against Arsenal. The Reds posted a 5W-6D-1L record over the course of those 12 games. Arsenal’s only win in that time came last season at the Emirates. The victory occurred after Liverpool had already won the title.
Ten of the last 11 games between the clubs saw both teams score goals. Monday’s game is unlikely to see a win to nil or both teams not score. The firepower is heavy on both sides. Thirteen of the last 16 games between the clubs finished with over 2.5 goals scored.
Like their last two games at Anfield – both played in 2019-20 in cup and league games – Monday's match should see over 2.5 goals scored. Liverpool should edge the Gunners in a close fixture to claim a third straight win in a barnburner.