Arsenal Vs Liverpool: 5 key players to watch – Granit Xhaka’s big test

2. Dejan Lovren

Liverpool are built in a very similar way to Arsenal: Creative and experimental in midfield, technical and speedy out wide, and fluid and potent up front. They also have the very same weakness as their hosts. Defending is not a strength of Klopp’s outfit.

While it would be unfair to pin a collective shortcoming on an individual, as so many fans, media members, and pundits are willing to do these days, it would be an oversight to not highlight Dejan Lovren as a key weakness of this Liverpool team. The centre-half was signed from Southampton to anchor and sure-up a somewhat leaky defence. Since his arrival, he has only added to the holes.

Arsenal certainly boast the attacking qualities to exploit Liverpool’s lax defending. Lovren especially has been exposed on countless occasions, most recently by Dominic Calvert-Lewin when he pushed the Everton striker over in the penalty area to give Wayne Rooney the chance to equalise. With Lacazette’s movement, Alexis Sanchez’s sharpness, and Mesut Ozil’s creativity, Lovren could bring great joy for the Gunners. Look for them to target him throughout the 90 minutes.