Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool play host to an in-form Arsenal side who are unbeaten in their last eight league games in the English Premier League. The Reds are just one place above Arsenal in the league table and have a two-point lead over the visitors. Mikel Arteta’s men have collected 20 points in the last eight games and have started to find the rhythm in the league.
Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the league came to an end after suffering a 2-3 defeat against West Ham United in the previous round. The Reds had 67% of the ball possession and attempted 15 shots, with a shot accuracy rate of 33.33%. 80% of the shots were attempted from inside the opposition’s penalty box. Liverpool players created 46 positional attacks and made 35 recoveries in the opposition’s half.
Liverpool have scored 31 goals so far, the most this season, and created the highest expected goal rate of 26.9. Klopp’s men have attempted 193 shots his season, the most in the league. 74 out of the 193 shots have been on target.
In the match against West Ham United, Liverpool players attempted 36 passes into the opposition’s penalty area with a 52.8% pass accuracy rate. Andy Robertson attempted ten crosses, and his 11 passes landed in the opposition’s penalty box. Sadio Mane attempted 43 passes, of which ten landed in the opposition’s penalty box. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Henderson landed their two passes into the opposition’s 6-yard box.
Roberto Firmino and Naby Kieta will miss the match due to injuries. Sadio Mane and Jordan Henderson withdrew from international duties due to injuries but have started training. Left-back Andy Robertson is also doubtful after he was substituted against Denmark in the international break.
Arsenal is on an eight-match unbeaten streak and is coming off after completing a 1-0 victory over Watford in the previous fixture. The Gunners dominated their opponents and attempted 13 shots. Six shots were on target, and the same number of shots were attempted from inside the opposition’s box. Midfielder Albert Lokonga attempted four shots with a 50% shot accuracy rate. Arsenal created momentum towards the end of the first half and carried it until the end of the match.
Arsenal were in the 20th position after the completion of the first three league games, but their unbeaten run has helped them climb to the fifth position in the league table. This season, the Gunners have scored and conceded 13 goals each. Their expected goal rate is 18.15, and the team has attempted 144 shots, with 51 being on target. 35 on-target shots have been attempted from inside the opposition’s penalty box, averaging 18.74 touches per 90.
Emile Smith-Rowe has shown some form this season. The youngster has scored four goals and provided two assists. He even scored a goal in his international debut for England. Midfielder Thomas Partey is in doubt for this game, and he also missed the previous game. Striker Pierre-Emrick Aubameyang left the Gabon camp early, and his fitness is also an issue. Kieran Tierney started in both the games during the international break and could return to the playing 11.
Mikel Arteta’s men will face their biggest test in their unbeaten run when they take on a high-scoring Liverpool side at Anfield. Liverpool have lost the momentum lately, and have just earned one point in the last two games. Both teams will look to earn three points and continue their early season momentum.
