So finally the long wait is over and our beloved Premier League will get kicked off this weekend. Many big games have been scheduled for the week, but nothing can really beat the encounter between Arsenal and Liverpool. On 14th of August, the Reds will be travelling to London to face the Gunners, who looks really worried due to their injury woes.
Looking at the recent form, which includes the pre-season games, then Arsenal are having an upper hand in the fixture as they have tasted the glory against MLS All-Stars, Chivas de Guadalajara, Viking FK and Manchester City, while Liverpool have faced three defeats at the hands of Chelse, Roma ,and Mainz, but they will be carrying the confidence of that 4-0 thumping victory over Barcelona a few weeks back.
The major concern for the Gunners in the game is the defence as their two-start men, Gabriel and Mertesacker will be missing out due to injury, hence the manager will have to go for Chambers or Holding. Liverpool too will be missing Mamadou Sakho, Joe Gomez and Loris Karius for sure, and James Milner, Daniel Sturridge are the one, whose participation is looking highly unlikely.
Here is the Predicted lineup for Liverpool that could face Arsenal this weekend:
Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet-
The Belgian international will surely be starting the game for the Reds as their new singing Loris Karius is currently out injured. Mignolet was badly criticized last season for his poor keeping skills and this made Klopp sign a new player for the spot, but with the current situation not really favouring the German, Mignolet will start the game ahead of their third choice, Alex Manninger.
Defence: Clyne; Lovren; Matip; Milner-
The former Southampton man Nathaniel Clyne is a sure starter for the side in the clash. It is safe to say that he was the most consistent performer for the side last term, hence the expectations from him have reached the skies, and it will be very interesting to see, how he delivers.
Dejan Lovren is an obvious starter for the game, but the major concern for the manager would be his partner. Ragnar Klavan is available, but the manager might use the other former Bundesliga man; Joel Matip, who has recently returned from injury. Furthermore, the left spot is a major concern for the manager as Alberto Moreno is failing to prove his worth; hence the manager might use James Milner yet again. Milner is struggling to prove his complete fitness for the fixture, but if he is passed fit, then the manager will surely be using the Englishman over the Spaniard
Holding midfield: Can; Henderson; Wijnaldum-
The holding midfielder would obviously be the 22-year-old German, Emre Can. Can has produced some great performances during the second half of the previous season and has cemented his place for the spot. We still remember how he dominated the entire Manchester United squad last season during the Europa League encounter.
With the German playing a deeper role, club’s skipper can operate the game from the central area and will be given the license to set the tempo of the game. Furthermore, the new arrival, Gini Wijnaldum, might occupy a more of an attacking role this term.
Attackers: Coutinho; Firmino; Mane-
The Brazilian attacker, Philippe Coutinho will surely be charging the left side and will be doing his regular task, i.e., to tease the opponents with his pace, but this time around, he will be facing Hector Bellerin, who is capable of matching the pace of the Brazilian.
On the other flank, the new signing Sadio Mane is looking likely to take the spot and with these two playing a wider role, Roberto Firmino will be given the task to deliver the end product. Though he has been struggling as a lone striker, he needs to charge down the spot for the team and a game like this is the best oppurtunity to show what he is capable of.
