EPL: Clash of giants as Liverpool hosts Arsenal

Arsenal travel to Anfield in a huge top-of-the-table clash against Liverpool on Saturday.

The two Premier League title contenders will face off in a six-pointer as the Gunners look to extend their one-point lead at the top.

Mikel Arteta celebrated his fourth anniversary since being appointed Arsenal manager this week.

The Spaniard has overseen a complete evolution at the club as he has transformed the club into a title challenger.

A win at Anfield could make the Gunners favourites for this year's league title.

However, the North London outfit have an appalling record at the Merseyside venue.

Arsenal have not won a league game at Anfield since 2012, when Lukasz Podolski and Santi Cazorla were the goalscorers in a 2-0 win.

Arsenal head into the game having beaten Brighton 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

Liverpool, on the other hand, dropped points last week as they drew 0-0 to Manchester United.

Meanwhile, manager Jurgen Klopp has urged fans to get behind the team as they face the Gunners.

 

The German boss suggested that the atmosphere was flat during the matches against United and West Ham on Wednesday.

Klopp even suggested that fans give up their tickets if they are not able to go to fill out the stadium.

What is their form like?

Liverpool comes into the match unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches.

The Reds even followed up their good league form with a sensational 5-1 win over West Ham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Klopp's team will back themselves to continue their form with such a dominant record against the Gunners at Anfield.

Arsenal have won four of their last five games, losing once.

The one defeat suffered in the last five came against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

 

Arsenal did win at Anfield in 2020 as they knocked Liverpool out of the Carabao Cup by penalties.

Liverpool have a handful of players who will miss the match against Arsenal.

Summer signing Alexis Mac Allister will be out of action for the rest of the year.

While defender Andy Robertson, Stefan Bajcetic, and Thiago Alcantara are all long-term absentees.

Diogo Jota is closing in on a return from injury, but the Arsenal game could come too soon for the forward.

Arsenal could be without as many as six players for the trip to Anfield.

Mohamed Elneny, Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Fabio Vieira are all out.

While Jorginho and Thomas Partey are doubts for the match.

Klopp has urged Liverpool fans to make Anfield a fortress for the match against Arsenal.

He said: "I have to say - it's long ago that I said this - but I thought the first half a little bit when the boys played exceptionally, I was not overly happy, I have to say, with the atmosphere behind me," said Klopp.

"I don't know. I don't ask people, what do we want? We changed a lot of things. We dominated West Ham like crazy. We missed chances. And I mean, if I would be in the stand I would be on my toes, 1,000 per cent.

"I don't know if the Man United game was that bad that we have to say, 'Oh sorry that we didn't smash them'.

"We need Anfield on Saturday. Without Anfield, I would say - after they (Arsenal) didn't play this week, they prepare for this game and anyone who knows a little bit about them, will be prepared.

"So, we need Anfield on their toes from the first second without me arguing with the opposition coach. We need you from the first second.

"If you want, if it's too much football in December, I don't know. Sorry, we have to play it as well. But if you are not in the right shape, give your ticket to somebody else."

Mikel Arteta has suggested that the "handbrake" has come off his Arsenal team.

 He said: "I don’t know about the handbrake. Hopefully, I don’t transmit them to play with the handbrake but when you have 10 players defending in [a space of] 22 meters, you cannot run.

"If you run, you run off the pitch. When [you play] a team that allows you space, that wants to go man-to-man, huge spaces are opening if you do the right things.

"Then we can run - and we’re a really dangerous team then as well. I think the team is clicking because they’re spending more and more time together.

"When you talk about Kai or Declan, they have played more games with us now. They understand certain things much quicker. It’s easy to adapt in games because they get it."