With Kai Havertz sidelined through injury, if there is one guaranteed starter in Mikel Arteta’s XI at Anfield, it is Viktor Gyokeres. The Arsenal boss will be hoping the Swede picks up where he left off against Leeds, a match in which he scored twice when the Gunners thrashed Leeds 5-0 at the Emirates.
Konate’s struggles under scrutiny
Gyokeres could well do just that, especially with ESPN FC pundits highlighting a glaring weakness in Liverpool’s defence that is ripe for exploitation.
“Konate never won a header, he was very shaky in the Bournemouth game, the Semenyo goal,” said Don Hutchison.
Host Dan Thomas responded, “Should he have started him then?”
To which Steve Nicol replied, “There’s no one else,” a worrying admission for Arne Slot and music to Arsenal’s ears.
Konate looks like a weak link, and if Arsenal are to target Liverpool’s defensive frailties, he is the man to go after. Gyokeres should relish the physical battles, hoping to capitalise on any errors. Even Jamie Carragher hinted at this on Sky Sports, per Rousing the Kop:
“Konate is another one. He has been all over the place. You want your centre-back to go and win that header [for Newcastle’s second goal]. He’s going backward, but he still should deal with that.”
Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover will also be encouraged by Konate’s aerial vulnerability. He will be hoping it plays a decisive role in Arsenal punishing Liverpool from corners and dead-ball situations, as highlighted in this ESPN FC discussion.
Kerkez also under fire
It is not just Konate. His left-sided defensive partner, Milos Kerkez, has also struggled. Jamie Carragher was blunt in his assessment of the left back:
“He found it really difficult against Bournemouth in the first game, he was a little bit nervous. He was up against Elanga today, not easy, but this isn’t enough.”
Liverpool’s defensive frailties
Arsenal’s attack could feast at Anfield if they recognise how unstable the left-hand side of Liverpool’s defence has become.
Having been linked with Marc Guéhi, it is clear Liverpool needed that signing. But with little hope of the deal going through, one cannot help but feel the Reds are just one defensive injury away from a full-blown crisis.
Your thoughts welcome in the comments Gooners.
Daniel O
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Liverpool have looked dodgy at the back. If they do not get two defenders in before the window shuts, they will struggle all season. Especially when they get an injury. They have not replaced Diaz and their defence is looking shaky and threadbare.
Konate had a mare against the Toon
Apart from Gyokeres goal (not pen )I didn’t think he had an amazing game against Leeds .
Be interesting top 2 teams last season ,would love Eze to start ahead of Odegaard give us some pace and power then maybe Gyokeres might come into his own more .
Front 4 of
Gyokeres
Marts. Eze. Noni
If Odegaards fit he must play. Front 4
Gyokeres.
Eze. Odegaard. Madueke.
Martinelli can be introduced if no injuries around 60/70min to attack tiring LB & his defensive qualities if winning. Eze moves across for Odegaard to go off.
Jimmymac1960,
You say if Odegaard’s fit he must play, whys that then?.
So Eze starts on the left wing(where he barely ever plays ?
Why move 1 player to accommodate another one when the one getting moved is better than the player getting played in his position.
Liverpool defense have been bad since the community shield. Wirtz though a great attacking talent has made their defending even weaker with his lack of defensive workrate. Their fullbacks are both very attacking minded and high up the field so any loss of possession results in immediate danger. Even without Saka and potentially Odegaard we have a good chance to win.
“the Reds are just one defensive injury away from a full-blown crisis.” – good to know that it’s not just Arsenal with injuries.
The Liverpool defence did look ropey against Newcastle but still managed to win. At Anfield – in front of their home crowd – it may well be a different Liverpool that turn up. Arsenal certainly looks capable of getting something from the game though.
I expect a tie or a small margin win. This will be the first game this season where Liverpool faces a world class defense to blunt the tip of their spear. We need to very much prepare for the same tactic ManU pulled on us, just this time, Liverpool has a much more effective attack.
We are missing Saka and Madueke is not an equal. For Ode’s position, I somehow think we will do better with either Eze or Nwaneri, both will be more daring and penetrative. As long as we are willing to take some risk and pass the ball earlier to players in better positions and develop our attack game, with Gyokeres and Eze, I am not too worried about our attack. Facing the aging and less reliable defense of Liverpool, we shall play more long game to Gyokeres and develop from there.
This is a game we must prove ourselves. Go Boys.