Liverpool vs Arsenal Preview, Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man & Predicted Score

Liverpool welcome top four rivals Arsenal to Anfield on Sunday afternoon for this weekends blockbuster clash.

The Merseysiders head into the game looking to get their Premier League campaign back on track after a hugely disappointing 3-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend.

That defeat leaves Brendan Rodgers men languishing down in eleventh place in the table but a win tomorrow would see them move to within seven points of the top four.

There were signs of improvement from Liverpool in midweek when they eased into the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth but Rodgers will be keen to transfer that form to the league tomorrow.

Arsenal are one of the clubs Liverpool will most likely need to finish above if they want to qualify for the Champions League next season, but the Gunners season has been plagued by inconsistency too.

Arsene Wenger’s men followed up their 3-2 loss at Stoke with back-to-back 4-1 victories over Galatasaray and Newcastle, and a win on Sunday would see the North Londoners move back above Tottenham into sixth place and within two points of fourth-placed West Ham.

Team news

Liverpool will hand a late fitness test to Croatian centre-back Dejan Lovren after he limped off in midweek with a groin injury. Mamadou Sakho is on stand-by to fill in at the back.

Glen Johnson is out for a month with a groin injury so he joins Daniel Sturridge and Jon Flanagan on the sidelines.

Mario Balotelli misses the match after being slapped with a one-match ban for his controversial post on Instagram so Raheem Sterling should continue up front.

Arsenal have a whole host of injuries problems to deal with. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be handed a late test on a groin problem but is expected to be passed fit.

Theo Walcott could be in the squad for the first time in over a month after returning to training from a groin injury but he’s only likely to make the bench.

Nacho Monreal is also set to return to the squad after a foot problem but Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil, Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky and Abou Diaby remain out.

Calum Chambers is back from suspension but Aaron Ramsey has been ruled out for two weeks with a hamstring strain.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Alexis Sanchez: The Chilean attacker has been a sensation for Arsenal since his move from Barcelona and Arsene Wenger will be hoping he shows Liverpool what they missed out on in the summer.

Predicted Score

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal: Arsenal are probably in the better form and have a very good recent record against Liverpool, losing just twice in the last 14 league meetings, but I fancy the home side to take a point from this game.

What team would you like to see start and what’s your predicted score?