Arsenal v Liverpool predictions: Liverpool to keep slim top-four hopes alive

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Arsenal v Liverpool in the Premier League.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Premier League, 8pm Saturday

Best bet

Liverpool
1pt 5-4 general

Team news

Arsenal
Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Emile Smith Rowe (hip) are doubtful while Willian is still struggling with a calf injury.

Liverpool
Roberto Firmino is set to return to the squad after recovering from a knee injury. Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and Joel Matip are all still out.

Match preview

Securing a top-four finish and salvaging something from their ill-fated Premier League title defence remains a big ask for Liverpool but the Reds can keep their slim hopes alive with victory at Arsenal on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp's men began the weekend five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and defeat at the Emirates would surely end the champions' chances of finishing in the Champions League qualification positions.

That means we should see a fired-up Liverpool side in north London. Despite all their troubles at home in 2021, the Reds have performed well on the road in the second half of the season.

Wins at Tottenham, West Ham, Sheffield United and, prior to the international break, Wolves have just about kept the Reds in the mix for the top four. Arsenal, meanwhile, are four points beneath them so their top-four race looks to be run.

With that in mind, and considering the Gunners have an important Europa League quarter-final against Slavia Prague on Thursday, there is probably more on the line at the Emirates for the visitors.

Mikel Arteta will know his side's best chance of securing Champions League football next season is by winning the Europa League, placing further importance on Thursday's first leg with Slavia. If the Gunners do have one eye on that tie then Liverpool can seize a vital opportunity for points.

Arsenal were one of just three teams to beat Liverpool in the league last term, winning this fixture 2-1 in July after the Reds had already sealed the title, but that was their first victory over Liverpool in 11 attempts in the top flight.

They did triumph in the Community Shield on penalties in August, however, and also won a Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at Anfield - also on spot-kicks - earlier this season.

Arsenal have players who can threaten Liverpool, most notably Martin Odegaard, Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and this will be a big test for the Reds' rookie centre-back partnership of Ozan Kabak and Nat Phillips. The duo have shown some encouraging signs of late, though, keeping three clean sheets together.

Three of the last five Emirates clashes between the sides have ended all-square and, while there will probably little to choose between them again, the visitors could strike the decisive blow.

Key stat

Liverpool have lost just one of their last 11 Premier League games against Arsenal.

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