Liverpool have chance to lay down a marker in the title race with win over Arsenal

Aditya Devavrat 16:18 28/12/2018
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  • Liverpool completely outclassed United last December - a result which ultimately led to Jose Mourinho's dismissal.

    Liverpool face Arsenal on Saturday with the chance to maintain their six-point lead atop the Premier League table – and, just as importantly, their seven-point gap to third-placed Manchester City, who are up next to Arsenal.

    For Unai Emery’s Arsenal, the game is equally as crucial, as the Gunners can ill-afford to lose ground in the race for a top four spot against Chelsea, especially with a resurgent Manchester United threatening to break up the party.

    Here’s a look at the talking points ahead of Saturday’s fixture.

    LIVERPOOL HAVE CHANCE TO MAKE STATEMENT 

    With City coming up just five days after Arsenal, this two-game spell is the toughest run of fixtures the Reds will face until February, when derby games against Everton and Man United will be sandwiched between the two legs of the Champions League Round of 16 tie against Bayern Munich.

    There is a chance that the next two games completely erase Jurgen Klopp side’s lead at the top, but if they can emerge from this spell with that lead at least somewhat intact, their title charge will gather even more momentum.

    First stop, Arsenal, against whom Liverpool played out a thrilling 1-1 draw earlier this season.

    The Gunners have come far since then, though the weaknesses in their defence have yet to be addressed. And Liverpool’s Fab Four (Xherdan Shaqiri has to start, surely) are primed and ready to exploit those.

    This game seems like a chance for Liverpool to lay down a marker before facing City. Take the fifth-best team in the league, one that recently went on a 22-game unbeaten run and has lost only three times in the league all season, and beat them – perhaps comprehensively?

    The Anfield crowd has had its heart broken before, but if that happens, they’ll start believing again.

    Liverpool can lay down a marker in the title race.

    Liverpool can lay down a marker in the title race.

    WHAT DOES EMERY DO WITH OZIL?

    Mesut Ozil was hooked at half-time during Arsenal’s Boxing Day draw with Brighton, presumably for his role in the concession of the home side’s equaliser.

    Stephan Lichtsteiner misplaced a header, Bernd Leno’s charge off his line was rash and ill-timed, and Matteo Guendouzi’s positioning was awry. But what was unforgivable for Emery was Ozil’s failure to track back with goalscorer Jurgen Locadia.

    The duo were level with each other for an Arsenal set-piece at the other end of the pitch, but when Brighton broke, Locadia made it all the way to the Gunners’ goal whereas Ozil barely made it back to his own half – which had a knock-on effect on Guendouzi, who had to mark two men on his own.

    A lack of effort has always been the knock on for Ozil, and it is to Emery’s credit that he refuses to indulge even one of the best players in his team.

    And if that’s the case, it’s unlikely that the German makes Emery’s starting XI on Saturday. Arsenal can’t afford a lack of effort against Liverpool, not with the Reds’ ability to spring lightning quick counterattacks.

    But if Ozil can’t be picked for Arsenal’s biggest games, where does that leave his future at the club?

    Mesut Ozil's future at Arsenal is growing increasingly uncertain.

    Mesut Ozil’s future at Arsenal is growing increasingly uncertain.

    TOP SCORERS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD

    2017-18 saw a season-long duel between Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah to win the Golden Boot. This season, the two are locked on 12 goals, with plenty of other contenders to deal with – including one who currently tops them, with 13.

    Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has taken to the Premier League like a fish to water. Now, however, he’s coming up against the league’s best defence – marshalled by a man in Virgil van Dijk that some Liverpool fans have begun calling the best defender in the world.

    While Van Dijk has a way to go to hit those heights, the challenge of someone like Aubameyang will bring out the best in him. Next to the Dutchman, Dejan Lovren has slotted in seamlessly for the injured Joe Gomez, and left-back Andy Robertson will more than fancy his chances of whoever it is on the Arsenal right tasked with providing the service to Aubameyang and strike partner Alexandre Lacazette.

    Salah seems to have an advantage in this duel, because the defence backing up Aubameyang isn’t as good as the one the Egyptian has on his side. Will this fixture see him take pole position in the race to be top scorer again?

    Aubameyang could take the Premier League's top scorer crown.

    Aubameyang could take the Premier League’s top scorer crown.

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