Liverpool vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
![Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Martinelli (2L) vies with Liverpool's English midfielder Jordan Henderson (L) and Liverpool's Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara (2R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 9, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images) Arsenal's Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Martinelli (2L) vies with Liverpool's English midfielder Jordan Henderson (L) and Liverpool's Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara (2R) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 9, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/db48933bbb3e03484b411547dc6f92ec8bfe1e5dc8d4ad1d4e93c793c6a8126d.jpg)
A significant day in the Premier League title race beckons for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal as they visit Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners answered Man City’s call last week as they thumped Leeds 4-1 at the Emirates after the Citizens had beaten contemporary rivals, Liverpool, by the same scoreline in the lunchtime kick-off.
Thus, Arsenal’s gap at the top remains eight points having played a game more than City. Many believe that Arteta’s side will be well on their way to the league title should they claim their first win at Anfield since 2012 on Sunday.
It’s been a bleak season for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds after they came ever so close to winning the quadruple last term. Their last hope of salvaging anything from this campaign is a top-four finish, but that currently looks unlikely after both Man Utd and Newcastle were victorious in midweek.
Liverpool head into Sunday’s bout down in eighth and ten points adrift of United in fourth.
Arsenal will not get a better chance to break their Anfield curse, but only Leeds have beaten Klopp’s side on Merseyside in the Premier League this term. This will be no walk in the park for the league leaders, that’s for sure.
Liverpool vs Arsenal preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
Here’s our preview of the Gunners’ visit to Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
How to watch Liverpool vs Arsenal on TV
When is kick-off? Sunday 9 April
What time is kick-off? 16:30 (BST)
Where is it played? Anfield
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event, SKY GO Extra, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Premier League (UK), SiriusXM FC, Peacock (US), fuboTV (Canada)
Referee? Paul Tierney
Liverpool team news
Klopp made a host of changes for Liverpool’s trip to Stamford Bridge in the week, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson both expected to return to the XI. Virgil van Dijk should’ve also recovered from an illness in time for Arsenal’s visit to partner Ibrahima Konate at centre-back.
Thiago could return from a lengthy injury layoff in midfield, while Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez are sure bets to start in the Reds’ front three. They’ll likely be joined by Cody Gakpo.
Luis Diaz is on the comeback trail, but this contest will arrive too soon for his full return. Stefan Bajcetic remains out.
Arsenal team news
There are no fresh injury concerns for the visitors, but they’re set to be without William Saliba for a third consecutive game as he continues to nurse a back injury. Thus, Rob Holding is set to continue in the XI.
Bukayo Saka will return to the team after dropping to the bench last time out, with Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard battling it out for the final spot in Arteta’s front three.
Liverpool vs Arsenal predicted lineups
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konata, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Liverpool’s recent form
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (04/04) – Premier League
Man City 4-1 Liverpool (01/04) – Premier League
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (15/03) – Champions League
Bournemouth 1-0 Liverpool (11/03) – Premier League
Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd (05/03) – Premier League
Arsenal’s recent form
Arsenal 4-1 Leeds Utd (01/04) – Premier League
Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace (19/03) – Premier League
Arsenal 1-1 (3-5p) Sporting CP (16/03) – Europa League
Fulham 0-3 Arsenal (12/03) – Premier League
Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal (09/03) – Europa League
Prediction
There’s no doubt that the Gunners have what it takes to claim their first victory at Liverpool in over a decade this weekend. The visitors can exploit the vulnerable hosts in myriad ways.
However, I’ve just got a bad feeling about this one. The Reds’ form on home soil remains imperious, and the Anfield faithful will be right up for Sunday’s bout given that this will be Liverpool’s first home game in over a month.
The visitors will not crumble under the microscope as they have done in recent years, but I can envisage a few things going against them. Liverpool have still got a knack for turning up when they need to, and I think they’ll do Man City a favour this weekend.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal