Liverpool anticipating 'difficult' challenge at Arsenal

Field Level Media|published: Fri 25th October, 14:52 2024

Jul 31, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Liverpool forward Harvey Blair (86) and Arsenal defender Jakub Kiwior (15) go for a header during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

League leaders Liverpool face their second stiff test in as many weekends when they travel to London to face Arsenal on Sunday.

The Reds (7-1-0, 21 points) earned a gutty 2-1 home win over Chelsea last Sunday, with Curtis Jones' 51st-minute answer to Nicolas Jackson's 48th-minute equalizer standing up as the winner. They followed that with a 1-0 UEFA Champions League victory at RB Leipzig via Darwin Nunez's tally before halftime to run an impressive win streak to eight in all competitions.

Even so, first-year manager Arne Slot insists that logically, his side should expect its most difficult opponent yet in the Gunners (5-1-2, 17 points).

"Nobody knows who the biggest competitors will be at this early stage, but Arsenal will be one, so winning points against them is important," Slot said. "Three draws and one loss (against them) last season? If we use those maths, if Liverpool could win all three, the table is much different. But it is difficult to win away at Arsenal or City, but we will try on Sunday."

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, as well as forwards Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa, continue to be on Liverpool's injury list. But Arsenal has bigger personnel and form issues to overcome.

The Gunners have scuffled so far in their attempt to improve upon consecutive second-place league finishes, sitting in a third-place tie on points with Aston Villa following a 2-0 loss at Bournemouth last weekend.

William Saliba was sent off before halftime of that clash for the denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity and will miss Sunday's fixture after participating in a 1-0 UCL home win Wednesday over Shaktar Donetsk.

Also absent will be captain Martin Odegaard, who remains out with an ankle injury, while last year's top scorer Bukayo Saka is doubtful with a hamstring issue.

"This is the game, you know, obviously, we didn't want to be in that situation, but we are really lucky as well to have the squad that we have, to have the players that we have, to have the attitude that we have," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. "We are a team that we know how good we are as well and how difficult we can be for the opponent. And having that ruthless mentality in the team is something that I love."

--Field Level Media

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