Here are the five players who could change the game on their own when Liverpool play Arsenal.
Liverpool will invite Arsenal to Anfield in a Saturday evening fixture. Jurgen Klopp and Unai Emery are the only two managers to manage cent per cent win record in the opening two games of the Premier League.
The Reds kicked off their league season with a 4-1 victory over Norwich City before lifting the Super Cup in the mid-week. It was followed by a game within three days, but it did not deter the reigning Champions League winners. They edged Southampton in St. Marys Stadium on Saturday and have one week to prepare for this big tie which promises goals.
While Liverpool were busy with four games within three weeks, the Gunners had to play just two weeks since this season’s Premier League initiated. They did not look convincing in both the games – edging Newcastle United and Burnley in the first two games. There is still room for improvement, but Unai Emery will be hoping to carry the positive start into a tie which has never been in their favour since 2012.
The Liverpool boss is yet to taste defeat against Arsenal and boasts the scoreline of 3-3, 3-1, 4-0, and 5-1 in their last four home games. Similar to last season, Liverpool are starting to find a way to bag all three points without staying at their best. They head into fixture as favourites, but revamped Unai Emery’s side could cause damage because of the lethal frontline.
There have been plenty of standout individual performers in this fixture. We shall look at the five players who could make a massive difference in Saturday’s clash.
#5 Mohamed Salah (Liverpool):
Mohamed Salah scored one and set up one against Norwich City in the opening day. The Egyptian missed a couple of chances in the game against Southampton, which he normally tucks the ball behind the back of the net with ease.
The Liverpool forward starts the season slowly, but he still is a severe dangerman for the Gunners, who have to cut the leakage of goals in the backline. The likes of Sokratis and David Luiz are too slow for Liverpool’s forwards – helping the course of the opponents. They could take full advantage of that situation, while the left flank of Arsenal’s defence could prove to be a total nightmare.
Sead Kolasinac does not have pace, either do the other two centre-backs. This could help the record Premier League scorer to exploit the backline and cause havoc in the offensive areas of the pitch.
#4 Dani Ceballos (Arsenal):
Arsenal’s midfielder Dani Ceballos was a standout performer against Burnley. The Spaniard managed to clinch the Man of the Match award for providing two assists to Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.
The on-loan midfielder has a bucket full of energy and acts as the pressing machine to close down the opponent’s transition. Similar to Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp likes to build the attack from the backline, especially through the full-backs.
If the Gunners manage to close down Trent Alexander Arnold and Andy Robertson, the Reds midfielders will be suffocated as well. Dani Ceballos will have a huge role to play in nullifying the opponents’ strength.
With the likes of Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira likely to shield the backline by sitting back with the defence, Ceballos will have the freedom to roam around the pitch and win the ball back. During the second goal against Burnley, Ceballos got a piece of the ball which fell to Aubameyang’s foot. The Gabonese still had a lot to do, but he took a shot to beat Nick Pope in his far post.
#3 Sadio Mane (Liverpool):
Liverpool were not in need of Sadio Mane during the opening game against Norwich City. But, the Senegalese made an instant impact by bagging a brace against Chelsea in the Super Cup, and scoring one and assisting one in their away victory against Southampton.
The left-winger, who joined the Reds in 2016, has scored in all three home games against Arsenal in the Premier League. Mane, who famously opened his Liverpool account during his debut game in the Emirates Stadium, has scored one apiece in Anfield over last three years.
The Reds attack has found its rhythm and the former Southampton forward will play a crucial hand on Saturday. The forward also does an abundance of tracking back to help out the full-backs – making him impossible to replace in the starting 11.
The inexperienced Ainsley Maitland-Niles will play through the right defensive flank for the Gunners. The defender has pace, but Mane is one of the quickest in the world. His contribution in the final third is also impeccable.
#2 Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal):
Pierre Emerick Aubameyang scored a goal while featuring for Borussia Dortmund, but he is yet to find the back of the net against Liverpool while featuring for the Gunners. The Gabonese has scored two goals in the opening two Premier League games and is the talisman for Unai Emery.
During Liverpool’s 5-1 victory against Arsenal last December, Aubameyang had few touches than the goalkeeper Alisson Becker. It was a tough pill to swallow for the striker, who is renowned for goalscoring prowess. There’s no doubt about the lack of creativity, but he needs to indulge in open play to side’s contribution.
Both Lacazette and Aubameyang started the last game against Burnley, but Unai Emery is anticipated to stick with a safe approach and pile pressure on the Liverpool midfielders. Should Dani Ceballos manage to stop the opponents’ full-backs, Arsenal have the capability to play through the middle – benefitting Aubameyang’s play.
#1 Roberto Firmino (Liverpool):
Roberto Firmino has scored in all home games against Arsenal in the Premier League. The Brazilian has been Liverpool’s top scorer in this fixture since Klopp has taken over the club by finding the back of the net on seven occasions from just four appearances.
Since the former Hoffenheim forward drops deep to create space for the wingers Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, he has an excellent chance to increase his goal and assist tally. He is pivotal to Liverpool’s style of play because of his immense contribution to the defensive and offensive play.
The Gunners are anticipated to deploy Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira in the defensive midfield positions. Since the duo is not as quick as the Liverpool forward, Arsenal could struggle to contain him. The centre-back Sokratis and David Luiz have the experience, but could struggle against the Brazilian, who has a filthy record in this fixture.
