Liverpool are set to face Premier League leaders Arsenal late Sunday afternoon at Anfield. Kick-off is at 16:30 GMT/11:30 EDT and will surely be the climax of an already action-packed weekend of football.
The Reds come into the match winless in their last 3 league matches, including a 0-0 draw at Chelsea on Tuesday. Their latest run of poor form has them 8th in the league with 43 points. Arsenal, on the other hand, hasn't lost in 7 Premier League matches, including last weekend's 4-1 win against Leeds.
Arsenal manager Mikael Arteta has received a lot of the credit but Arsenal as a team are on another level right now. They are in 1st place in the Premier League with 72 points, a 5-point cushion over 2nd place Manchester City. As the season heads toward its conclusion, Arsenal have the inside track to the title.
The two teams met back on the 9th of October in London. Arsenal won that day 3-2 in a thrilling match that saw Bakayo Saka score twice for the Gunners. Darwin Núñez and Roberto Firmino scored for the Reds that day but the game is probably remembered by most Liverpool fans as the game in which Luis Díaz injured his knee, from which he still hasn't returned to the pitch.
Talking Points for Sunday
It is a late kick-off in Liverpool on Easter Sunday. It is the first home match for the Reds since their epic 7-0 win over Manchester United on March 5th. Coincidentally or not, that was also the last Liverpool victory. Anfield will need to be at its intimidating best if Liverpool want to take points off the league leaders tomorrow.
Many Liverpool supporters are pointing to the fact that Arsenal hasn't won at Anfield since 2012. While those kinds of stats and facts give something for supporters to chant, the reality is streaks and records like that are broken all the time. Liverpool can't be complacent and rely on 11-year-old trends.
Liverpool will be the healthiest it's been in a long time, according to Jürgen Klopp in his press conference yesterday. The Boss confirmed that Virgil van Dijk will be available after missing the Chelsea match on Tuesday with an illness. Thiago Alcântara could also be back in the mix after spending time on the injured list with a hip flexor.
The Gunners Are Living Up to Their Name
The Reds' defence has been better lately, including the clean sheet at Stamford Bridge. It's going to have to be flawless against a potent Arsenal attack. Saka and Gabriel Martinelli each have 13 goals and striker Gabriel Jesus is back in the fold after missing time.
Arteta has built this team in a similar vein to his mentor Pep Guardiola built Manchester City. The Gunners play from the back and play a pressing style of football. They also play much the same way that Liverpool can play when they are at the top of their game.
Arsenal are second in the league with a plus-43 goal differential. Liverpool are only at plus 15, and that might tell the story of this game. The Gunners can score, but can the Reds keep up?
LFC Globe Verdict
Liverpool have been much better at home this season than they've been on the road. This has been evident in their last month of play away from Anfield. I think the combination of home cooking and a healthy squad will be a recipe for success tomorrow.
Arsenal are still a young team, however, they've passed nearly every test presented to them this year. A late kick-off, at Anfield, on a holiday will be an environment they can't possibly be ready for, I think the Liverpool faithful will be up for it and the hallowed old grounds turn into a Merseyside Zoo.
The Reds will play spoiler for Arsenal's march to the championship. I see one streak ending but it will be the Gunners' 7-game league winning streak. The Liverpool unbeaten streak at home versus Arsenal will stay intact. I see the Reds winning 3-1. Book it.
