Liverpool vs. Arsenal: Four Key Players that can make A Difference at Anfield this weekend. By Obiweluozo Martins
The stage is for a titanic battle as Arsenal travel to Merseyside for one of top clashes in the Premier League season. Jurgen Klopp may be the clear favourite going into the fixture after hammering Arsenal 5-1 on Christmas Eve last year. The Gunners lost the match despite having taken an early lead in the game thanks to the effort from young defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The Arsenal manager would be hoping for a better return this time around as the Gunners has readily been improved following the additions of Nicolas Pepe (from Lille), Madrid’s Dani Ceballos and David Luiz (from Chelsea) this summer. As the match draws closer by the minutes, we evaluate four (4) key players that can make a difference in the match.
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian star might have scored only in the 4-1 win over newly promoted side Norwich but expect him to buckle up and deliver for his side against Arsenal. The Londoners may have got quality at the back with Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac coupled with the acquisition of David Luiz this summer. But Salah’s pedigree and match record suggests that he may well-get a goal and even more in this tie, as he’s proven capable of doing so a couple of times for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.
David Luiz
The Brazilian may well be making his second start for the Arsenal first XI after playing his 1st) debut match against Burnley. He slotted in nicely to ensure the Gunners won the game 2-1 despite Sean Dyches tactical input against Unai Emery’s Arsenal. His experience will be an asset while also providing the calmness Arsenal needs at the back. He presents a special possibility for Arsenal especially in free kick situation while also adding the flair you would love to see on an Arsenal shirt. Luiz brings the guile and the inspiration the back four needs, for positivity going against the Liverpool opposition as his side faces a stern test away from home.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The Arsenal top marksman would love to score against Liverpool especially as he failed to live up to expectation on his previous visit to Anfield. The Londoners lost 5-1 and his form in the game was nothing to write home about as it threatened his manager’s job while casting doubt over Arsenal’s season as the defeat somehow downplayed the Arsenal potential. This has to change as Aubameyang would be expected to make amends after scoring 2 goals from 2 games against Newcastle United and Burnley with his second goal a beauty to behold, as we look forward to more of that when they face Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Virgil Van Dijk
It would be injustice not to mention this player despite his involvement in Adrian’s howler last weekend against Southampton. He’s proven to be a buckler to the Reds defence after his move to Merseyside last season from Southampton. He’s produced the goods in the Red shirt while collecting a couple of awards on account of his quality performances. He was the defensive architect that engineered Liverpool’s run to the UEFA Champions League last season defeating the mighty Barcelona en route to European glory for the Reds. Such was his contribution that we expect a reminiscence of such magnitude this weekend.
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Van Djik will have a torrid time marking Auba when he’s drifting in from the left. That’s y I support the decision to squeeze the trio of Lacca , Auba and Pepe into the starting lineup.
We need to be in their faces and scare them.
Would love to see Cabellos ,ozil and Torreria in the midfield behind Auba laca Pepe .
Just got a feeling Emery is going to play it safe and play a back 5 with Xhaka in the team .
A back 5 if employed by Emery means an automatic loss for us.Liverpool will dominate us centrally and work the space between wing back and CB very well.That same formation led to our UEL final loss.Imo our key players are going to be the midfielders.I would go with Willock and Torreira with Ceballos playing a bit more advanced.If it’s not working switch Willock for Guendouzi later on because that’s more defensive.Ozil comes in fresh but truth be told after everything it’s best to ease him into the lineup and because of his style of play we will need to find a suitable midfield that works for him and the others.
could not agree more Kev. We should not play with a back 5 we would be (even more?) over-run in midfield. We should play with 4 at the back a with 3 active midfield players assisted by our two wingers.
I actually think our central midfielders are key in this game. Liverpool haven’t got the most technical of players in the centre, but you won’t find any players that work harder. We need a basis of work ethic, aggression and intensity, to match them up all over the pitch, but especially in the centre.
My team:
Leno
AMN
Chambers
Luiz
Monreal
Guendouzi
Torreira (if fit)
Ceballos
Pepe (if fit)
Laca
Auba
Torreira-Guendouzi midfield from last season has proven to be ineffective.
It lacks control and physical presence.
I would like to see Willock paired with Torreira because Willock is a box to box player and will make the midfield more balanced if paired with Torreira.If he’s given the opportunity I expect him to grab it with both hands even if it’s Liverpool
For goodness sake Torrera is not fit enough to be thrown into a big game like this. I will go for guendouzi willock and ceballos in the middle
admit, wheres mane in that list… he is probably pools biggest player since last season… and i feel he is more dangerous than salah, and biggest threat to arsenal in this fixture…. GOD SAVE AMN, AMEN
LENO will be our most important player, he will be tested, that’s for sure. Then the REST of the defence, we MUST NOT concede. If that happens then our strikers can cause an upset at Anfield. COYG, if we win, or even draw I’ll be buzzing!!
Well, I think to two most important factors are Klopp and Emery. How they setup to play their various teams today is what will define the outcome of the game.
Aubameyang mostly has average games against the top 5.His poor ability on the ball is massively exposed.He’s better as a CF.The same happened at home against Liverpool at Home where he was ineffective on the wing.Had a nothing away match as expected too.
You will not get away with it by playing him at the wings against the top 5.It will expose him.
The key players today is going to be our central midfielders.We must match Liverpool’s energy there.The defense is bang average and the opposition team need not break a sweat to penetrate.
Thankfully we’ve added some good players but the same average defensive tactics from the manager is still there.
What is wrong with you kev, our midfield is better quality wise n technically. Our strike trio is something to fear as well. I agree about defence though, we may struggle there in this match. I think we should attack them, we are not n never been a team who can shutdown shop n produce quality defensive displays for years. So do what Madrid do out score your opponent. That’s the only way I can see us winning. But once we have our three key defenders back then I would actually be betting on my team to win against any team in world.
I clearly said it is the midfield that is going to be key imo.I never implied our midfield isn’t better.To say it’s also better is debatable.If you’re saying that because of Ceballos I get you.Our at time trio is good but what I stated about Aubameyang is something I observed from last season and this season based on when he’s on the ball
Key battles:
– AMN vs Mane
– Monreal vs Salah
– Aubameyang vs Alexander Arnold
I think these will decide the match alongside the two goalkeepers.
Totally agree,furthering that with pools high press game,I see david luiz’s ability on the ball and quality to deliver pin point passes to find space in behind pools defence a threat.When the long ball isnt on finding ceballos will also be key.
I feel there is a real weakness in their defense behind Arnold,and would love to see aubemeyang making runs odd his shoulder.
That said, going forward we have real threats in various tactical solutions but the defense is still what worries me.
Leno being at the top of his game during corners and stopping VD and as.
You’ve mentioned AMN and monreal/kola, they both need to be switched on tactically
I can either seeing us being slapped or pool getting slapped if those key areas click for us.
Just hope too see that high line/press from pool to give us something to work with.
Leno
AMN Sokratis Luiz Monreal
Torreira
Cellabos Willock
Pépé Laca Auba
Let’s go get them! This team is brave and bold and not scared. It will take it up to liverpool
Lacazette, Luiz, Ceballos, Pépé.
Expecting Klopp to man mark Pepe and Ceballos if they start and that should free up space for Lacazette and Aubameyang to be deadly.
Please Emery should get his selection and shape well. Looking forward to the line up an hour before kick off cause will tell the outcome of the game.
Being positive I see an Arsenal win or draw.
For goodness sake Torrera is not fit enough to be thrown into a big game like this. I will go for guendouzi willock and ceballos in the middle
Top of the league clash loading>>>>>>>>>>
The best time to play Liverpool is right now cos i tot they struggled in d super cup and Southampton even against norwich d 4-1 scoreline didn’t tell d real story then there’s the imbalance in d defence caused by Adrian’s presence which our front guys must explore…
Can’t we try callum chambers in DM since torreira is not match fit, willock is a bit too inexperienced for Liverpool at anfield and guendouzi is a virtual passenger in defense and will easily get trashed by fabinho? The work rate of dani next to him will balance him out nicely. I also like ozil in behind laca auba and pepe for some unpredictability and keeping possession. If not callum then I guess its upto granit xhaka
Torreira has returned to full training 24 days ago.
Considering he only had a short break prior to that, we don’t know for sure he is not match fit by now.