Premier League: Will an injury-stricken Arsenal provide a challenge for Liverpool?

Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool face their first competitive fixture of the 2016/17 Premier League campaign as they host Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday night. 

The Reds are coming off with a win over TSG Hoffenheim in the Champions League, having booked their place in the group stages and are in red-hot form with 3 wins on the trot in all competitions. 

On the other hand, the Gunners failed to do it on a cold night in Stoke and a win against one of the Premier League title contenders could do Arsene Wenger’s men a world of good. 

Team News

Liverpool: 

Playmaker Philippe Coutinho’s future still remains uncertain Anfield as the summer transfer window nears its deadline. Adam Lallana is out with a thigh injury while Trent Alexandre-Arnold and Joe Gomez will make up for the injured Nathaniel Clyne at right back. 

Jurgen Klopp may also rest certain players for the Gameweek, given the strenuous action of Champions League football on Wednesday. 

Arsenal 

The return of first XI favourites, including captain Laurent Koscielny and talismanic forward Alexis Sanchez is likely to boost the Gunners. Jack Wilshere and Lucas Perez are also available for selection, but the latter seems to have frozen out.

Probable XI:

Liverpool (4-3-3): Mignolet; Alexander-Arnold, Moreno, Matip, Lovren; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Can; Mane, Salah, Firmino

Arsenal (3-4-3): Cech; Monreal, Mustafi, Koscielny; Kolasinac, Bellerin, Xhaka, Ramsey; Sanchez, Ozil, Lacazette

Players to watch out for: 

Liverpool: Sadio Mane

In the absence of Philippe Coutinho, who better to lead Jurgen Klopp’s men other than Sadio Mane? The Senegalese forward’s presence makes the Reds more potent and without him, the team run out of ideas. Mane loves scoring against Arsenal and will continue to cause all sort of problems for Arsene Wenger. 

Arsenal – Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil still leads the charts for the most completed passes in the final third this Premier League campaign, that highlights his influence in attack. However, the German has received  a lot of flak for failing to turn up in big games and will be keen to prove a point on Sunday.  

DC Predicts

The contest is expected to be a goal fest given the attacking prowess in both the teams. However, Liverpool has a good home record, particularly, against the top six teams that might see them bag all the three points.