Match Preview

Liverpool

Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield in the premier league as 2018 comes to an end. Victory will guarantee at least a six-point lead at the turn of the year and will give cushion to Liverpool’s title challenge as they seek to widen the space between them and major rivals.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have still not lost a game for the entire first half of this season including victories in each of their last eight outings to make a bold statement for the premier league trophy.

Manchester City have lost games now back to back and this has opened up a seven point gap between them and Liverpool, with Tottenham now 6 points behind Liverpool in second place.

Liverpool Team News

The Reds have some injuries to cause some worry….

The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Joel Matip (shoulder), Joe Gomez (leg), James Milner (hamstring), Alberto Moreno (back) are all out to injury and Klopp will have to look to other players for selection.

He is likely to name a strong side which will include Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Firmino in the frontlines.

The midfield is always crowded for Liverpool as Naby Kaita,  Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georgino Wijnaldum are all in contention to feature.

The backline is not likely to change as Van Dijk and Dejan Lovren will partner Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold in defense.

Arsenal

Arsenal have somewhat lost some steam as they have only been able to win 2 in the last 5 and they will now be targeting victory at Anfield which would see them leapfrog Chelsea into fourth until at least Sunday as they are two points below the champions league places.

The Gunners were one of only three teams to avoid defeat against Liverpool during the first half of the season, though, and will be hoping to end the Reds’ hopes of joining them in the Invincibles club in their final match of the year.

Arsenal Team News

The London side also have some injury doubts, including both long and short term absentees.

The following players are out of the match agaist Liverpool : Henrikh Mkhitaryan (foot), Hector Bellerin (calf), Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin), Rob Holding (knee), Emile Smith Rowe (hip), Danny Welbeck (ankle), Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring), Nacho Monreal (muscle).

Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi could replace injured Mesut Ozil who was injured and taken off at half-time in the match against Brighton & Hove Albion in the midweek.

Premier League top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should continue to lead the line alongside Alexandre Lacazette. With Mateo Guendouzi, Granit Xhaka and Lucas Toreira occupying the midfield position.

Head To Head

The two teams have met 53 times in the Premier League. Liverpool have won 19 times, Arsenal 15, and the sides have shared 19 draws.