Liverpool vs Arsenal

Anfield sets the stage for a blockbuster Premier League encounter between Liverpool and Arsenal.

Still hungover after hosting a record-equaling 20th title in England’s top flight, Liverpool slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Chelsea last weekend, marking only their second loss in the Premier League under Arne Slot. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s announcement added insult to injury as the homegrown Anfield star revealed he’ll leave the club in the summer, probably to join Real Madrid. The Reds will aim to put those setbacks behind them as they bid to win a tenth consecutive domestic fixture on home turf following a 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham to seal the title. However, Arsenal’s upcoming visit doesn’t bode well, with Slot’s charges winless in their last five Premier League H2Hs (D3, L2), including a 2-2 draw in October’s reverse fixture. Interestingly, all five meetings featured 2+ first-half goals, highlighting the potential for a goal-glutted start.

In the meantime, Arsenal can all but secure a third consecutive runner-up finish in the Premier League with an unlikely win at Anfield, where they last won a league meeting with Liverpool in 2012 (D4, L7). Manager Mikel Arteta was in the starting line-up that year, testifying to Arsenal’s long-standing duck on Merseyside. Furthermore, the Gunners have suffered a significant mental blow ahead of this trip, as Paris Saint-Germain eliminated them from the Champions League semi-finals 3-1 on aggregate. A 2-1 home loss to Bournemouth last weekend deepened the crisis, forming part of Arteta’s third three-game losing streak since taking charge in December 2019. Arsenal took the lead in that game, meaning they’ve now dropped 21 points from winning positions – their joint-most in a Premier League campaign.