Liverpool return to Anfield where they are set to host Premier League leaders Arsenal on Sunday, 9 April. Last Word on Sports tries to put together a Liverpool Predicted Lineup as the Reds aim to dent Mikel Arteta’s side’s trophy-winning hopes by getting back to winning ways at home.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal
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— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 6, 2023
How Liverpool Have Lined-up Recently
Jurgen Klopp threw a bit of a curve-ball at his Liverpool squad in the draw to Chelsea in mid-week, benching a number of key regulars. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, and January signing Cody Gakpo were all benched – mostly to reignite the missing spark in them.
All four should return against Arsenal because they’ve done well at Anfield. The back-five of Alisson, Trent, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Robertson have been Liverpool’s most reliable backline and most capable of dealing with high-pressure situations. In midfield, Jordan Henderson remains the most experienced outlet and is undroppable alongside Fabinho for now. Salah and Darwin Nunez have been Liverpool’s most prolific forwards and seem to work best with Gakpo as well – as proven in the 7-0 drubbing against Manchester United last month.
Liverpool’s Recent Form and Tactics
The Reds go into this game in really poor form, having not been able to win a single one of their last four matches in all competitions. Their previous win was the one against United, after which they’ve just scored one goal in four matches.
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Despite that, Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to move away from his patent 4-3-3 system and heavy-metal football style. He’ll urge his Liverpool players to feed off the Anfield crowd’s energy to bring out to reignite the fire inside them. The Reds will not sit back at home and look to trouble Arsenal with their constant pressing as well as slick, well-worked moves through the wings by elevating their wing-backs higher up the field.
However, Liverpool need to be crisper with their attacking movement and final third product as well. If they’re able to get things just right, the Reds still boast enough firepower to run riot over a side like Arsenal in front of the roaring Anfield crowd.
Liverpool Key Players
Salah – termed a ‘work horse’ by Jurgen Klopp last year – will probably be raring to go in this one after being benched against Chelsea. He’s tormented Arsenal in the past and definitely has the ability to do so again. The Egyptian winger’s incisiveness, speed, and finishing are all revered, and he needs to be picked out at the right areas by his teammates to cause damage.
Nunez can be a pest for defenders with his tireless off-the-ball runs and clever work in the final third. He’ll need to be more ruthless with his final ball to create more for Salah and Gakpo – who needs to get into the perfect scoring areas and work hard to create chances for himself. While Robertson and Trent will have to be defensive solid to keep Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli quiet, they’ll also need to be on-point with their attacking work and send in quality crosses into the box.
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Arsenal comes into the game in hot form and with lots of firepower in the attack. Liverpool’s backline need to be on point to frustrate the Gunners, which means Virgil van Dijk has to be at his commanding best – using his game-reading ability and clutch challenges to keep a mean defensive line.
Liverpool Injuries to Consider
The Reds are still without their breakout midfield starlet Stefan Bajcetic due to injury issues, while Naby Keita and Calvin Ramsey are out too. Thiago Alcantara and Luis Diaz are getting back to full fitness, while Van Dijk should be fully fit for this one. Summer loan signing Arthur is fit, but still MIA from the first team.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup
Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez
