Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Arsenal will be forced to change their preferred tactics against Liverpool thanks to Olivier Giroud’s absence.
The German boss has stated that Arsene Wenger usually fields Giroud to cause his defenders problems, and that the Gunners will now be forced to try and play in an unfavoured set-up due to the star’s absence.
“I’m not sure there are a lot of similarities (between teams). A lot of the time against us, Giroud played from the beginning. That says a lot of Arsenal’s style against us,” said Klopp.
“They are a complete side, able to do everything. Giroud can’t play, but they have a lot of good, good footballers on the pitch. We have to defend them and use any spaces we can find. We go there to perform and get as much as we can.
“They can change styles, they played a lot of long balls against us. Whoever will play, they have a strong side.
“On one hand we have to defend in the best game we can and if there are any gaps we have to use them. We go there to perform and get as much as we can.”
Our side will be keen for a big performance against the Reds, having already been embarrassed by the Anfield club in August when they gave us a 4-0 thrashing on Merseyside, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will hopefully be on the end of both defeats having played at wing-back for us in the reverse fixture shortly before moving to our rivals.
Would Giroud have started on Friday if he was fit? Would Giroud trouble the Reds more than Lacazette due to his strengths?
Pat J