Liverpool’s hot form in the race for the title will be tested this weekend when they make the trip to North London to face Arsenal in what is a fascinating EPL betting match-up.
The Gunners have already been cordoned off by Manchester City and Chelsea this season, and Jurgen Klopp’s charges will, much like their title rivals, be looking to reap maximum points from the tie.
Up until Manchester City’s 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night, Liverpool had briefly led the Premier League log after a resounding 4-1 win over Cardiff City during the weekend; with the hosts taking the lead within the opening ten minutes through Mohamed Salah.
Sadio Mane had his effort from a sweeping move blocked, but Salah was alive to the task, as the Egypt international stabbed the rebound into the near post to put the hosts ahead.
Neil Warnock’s side exhibited the gaze of a resolute team for nearly an hour, up until the 66th minute when they went behind to a second goal by Sadio Mane.
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Receiving the ball from Alberto Moreno on the left flank, the Senegalese twisted and turned amid frenetic defending by the Cardiff back line; teeing himself up inside the penalty area before scoring with a stinging left footed strike.
Callum Paterson gave the Bluebirds hopes of getting something out of the match when he steered past Alisson to halve the deficit in the 77thh minute, only for Liverpool to unleash a relentless onslaught that saw Xherdan Shaqiri and Mane score two quick fire goals in the closing moments of the game.
Paterson’s goal was only the third Liverpool have conceded in the Premier League this season, and the first League goal they have let in at Anfield since February-going a staggering 918 minutes without conceding.
Arsenal relinquished their lead to draw 2-2 away to Crystal Palace in a hotly contested London derby last Sunday afternoon. Luka Milivojevic gave the hosts the lead from the spot right at the stroke of half time when Cheikhou Kouyate was brought down by Shkodran Mustafi, but Granit Xhaka restored parity with a delightful free-kick six minutes into the second half.
Certainly not without controversy, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored his seventh League goal of the season to award Arsenal the lead, but Milivojevic, a prevalent figure in the match, converted from the spot seven minutes from stoppage time to force Unai Emery’s charges into sharing the spoils.
The draw as such brought a dramatic end to Arsenal’s sizzling run of eleven consecutive wins in all competitions; one that leaves them fourth on the table after ten games-four points behind leaders Manchester City.
Hector Bellerin, who missed the midweek EFL Cup match against Blackpool, will have to pass a late fitness test after being withdrawn against Crystal Palace due to a muscular pain.
Sead Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal, significant absentees from Arsenal’s last three matches due to hamstring issues, will be assessed ahead of Liverpool’s visit.
Mohamed Elneny is ruled out of the tie with a thigh injury, as is the defensive duo of Konstantinos Mavropanos and Laurent Koscielny-both of whom have served lengthy injury layoffs.
Jordan Henderson and Naby Keita have been sidelined with hamstring complications for Liverpool, but Klopp could welcome the return of his skipper for the first time since the England international limped off against Huddersfield Town.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster remain the only Liverpool players serving long-term injury layoffs.
Liverpool, neck-and-neck with Manchester City in the race for the Premier League crown, will take their unbeaten run of ten League matches to the Emirates on Saturday.
The Reds are only one of three teams to not have sustained defeat thus far into the League campaign; all of which are vigorously entwined in the chase for the title, giving Jurgen Klopp’s side even more reason not to drop points this weekend.
latter years of Arsene Wenger’s regime.