Liverpool v Arsenal Preview & Live

Liverpool v Arsenal, Sunday 21st December 4pm, Anfield, Premier League, Sky Sports 1


Premier League

1. Chelsea 39pts
2. Man City 36pts
3. Man Utd 31pts
4. West Ham 28pts
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5. Southampton 26pts
6. Arsenal 26pts
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11. Liverpool 21pts


Gunners hoping to continue good form

Two 4-1 victories and being paired - against all odds - with Monaco in the Champions League Last 16 draw. It was perhaps Arsenal's finest week of the season thus far. Meanwhile, up the M40, Liverpool endured the most miserable of seven days; plummeting into the Europa League before being trounced at Old Trafford. Brendan Rodgers' side did see off Championship leaders Bournemouth on Wednesday evening, but it's fair to say the Merseysiders are experiencing a poor campaign just now.

When Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, the pressure will be on both sides. Arsène Wenger may have watched his side win 5 of the last 6 games, but a typical defeat at Stoke last time out in the Premier League was a stark reminder that when it goes wrong for The Gunners, it goes badly wrong. For all of the Londoner's free-flowing attacking play - evident more than ever against Galatasaray and Newcastle - defensive frailties remain just around the corner.

Rodgers spent £100m in the summer, following the exit of Luis Suárez to Barcelona, but Liverpool find themselves in the bottom-half of the table and 18 points off the top; this after The Reds took last season's title-race to the last day.

Match Facts

* Liverpool v Arsenal has seen more hat-tricks (five) than any other fixture in Premier League history.

* There have been four 90th minute or later goals in the last six league meetings between the sides at Anfield.

* Liverpool have failed to score in five league games this season, two more than in the whole of last season.

* After drawing five of their first eight league games, Arsenal have drawn none of their subsequent eight (W5 L3).

* The Gunners have only failed to score in one league game this season.

* Alexis Sanchez has scored (seven) or assisted (four) 11 of Arsenal's last 17 league goals (65%).

Team News

Arsenal

Koscielny (calf), Arteta (calf), Wilshere (ankle), Diaby (calf), Ramsey (hamstring), Gnabry (knee), Özil (knee) & Rosický (thigh) are all unavailable. Chamberlain (groin), Walcott (groin) & Monreal (foot) face fitness tests. Ospina is fit.

Liverpool

Balotelli (suspended), Sturridge (hip), Flanagan (knee) & Johnson (groin) are all unavailable. Lovren (groin) is doubtful.

honestly this season has been a "write off"h type of season with the injuries we have had. I dont expect us getting anything out of this match.

Anything more than 0 points is a bonus.

(i do hope that we go all out during the cup matches though)

lmao our injury list.

Merte-Debuchy worked well against Newcastle, but this is Liverpool at Anfield. They will be tested a lot more and will require proper protection from midfield.

I don't know who we are going to play in midfield. Flamini-Cazorla and who? Oxlade might or might not be fit. If not then we'll have to play Chambers or some kid from U15s.

Liverpool are doing as bad as us. But there is no doubt they will turn into bayern Munich on Sunday. I just want us to play well and not make any stupid errors.

At least our attack is fully fit. Would like Welbeck-Giroud-Sanchez upfront.

3 points would be great but think this might end a draw.

I just pray to god Pool will play 343, we have good chance then with counter

Good work Sam.

I know we have lots of injuries but if the players are not motivated for revenge?

RealGunner wrote:
Merte-Debuchy worked well against Newcastle, but this is Liverpool at Anfield. They will be tested a lot more and will require proper protection from midfield.

We have scored 7 goals in 8 home games. Only Aston Villa have scored less (6). You have got nothing to worry about. I'm just hoping for a 0 - 0.

gonna rekt you as well. 1-1 and us reds will be much happier with the result at the end of the match.

"Every defeat is a scar in your heart forever" - Arsene Wenger, poet

Meh the result is the last of my worries. Just hoping we play the same 3-4-2-1 and play nice attacking football like the last 2 matches.

Hoping for this


We'll probably see this though

I bet we'll help Liverpool get back on track just like we did with United. Anything but a heavy loss will surprise me.

Hoping for:

I have a feeling, we might have one of those accidents, that Wenger talks about a lot.

@wengerknowsbest  ·

"Hello?" "Arsène? Brendan." "Right." "Ready for Sunday? As I say, the group is feeling terrific." "That's right, we did sign Sanchez."

I'm going to go out on a limb and say it will be a better result than last season.

Can't actually figure out which team is worse

They are much better than us, How can you even question that?

We are not that much better tbh.

Someone's getting deceived here, I wish I knew who.

Arsenalfaithfull wrote:honestly this season has been a "write off"h type of season with the injuries we have had.

You mean it's a normal season then...

This thread.

Updated preview.

Sorry for delay, issue with website.

Looooool Sakho starting.

There is no way we are getting even one past them. He will return as Nesta prime. Carry Liverpool to a clean sheet and a win. Get their form back combined with Sturridge's return and back into top 4

My prediction

Liverpool 6:2 Arsenal

Five of Pool's goals will be Arsenal own goals. Plus a penalty.

Arsenal's two goals will come from Alexis in stoppage time, which will be the one part of the match where our guys look like they actually want to play.

I just hope Liverpool go easy on us, leave some of the goals for next game. I take a 3-0 now.

As long as we improve from last years score line, we should be happy.

it looks like Theo will be starting.