After Manchester City closed to within five points of Arsenal by beating Southampton on Saturday, the Gunners will look to respond when they travel to Liverpool on what could be a pivotal afternoon in the Premier League title race.
The game at Anfield feels like an acid test for Arsenal, who have not won away at Liverpool for 11 years. They were thrashed 4-0 there last season and victory today would represent a huge statement as they go head-to-head with City for the title.
Liverpool are enduring a difficult season but they blew away Manchester United 7-0 in their last game at Anfield and need a win to boost their European hopes. This could be a season-defining 90 minutes for Arsenal, who can re-establish an eight-point lead at the top of the table with a win. With kick-off at 4.30pm BST, follow all the action at Anfield.
Live updates
Latest odds
Liverpool to win: 13/8
Draw: 5/2
Arsenal to win: 13/8
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
How Mikel Arteta transformed Arsenal’s away form
In seasons gone by, a trip to Anfield would be met with a sense of dread by Arsenal.
The Gunners have a miserable record at Liverpool, having not won a Premier League game there since 2012.
This weekend, however, Mikel Arteta’s side should travel optimistic that they can maintain their eight-point lead at the top of the table.
Arsenal boast the best away record in the League this season by some distance. They have taken 34 points from 14 games, which is seven more than the second-best team (Manchester City).
Click here to read how Mikel Arteta transformed their away form.
Premier League title race: How it stands
Erling Haaland scored twice as Manchester City reduced the gap to Arsenal to five points with a comfortable 4-1 win at Southampton yesterday.
The two title rivals have played the same numbers of games but Arsenal, of course, are looking to re-establish an eight-point lead this afternoon.
Both clubs have nine games left and Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane, working at Anfield today, has said: “This is crunch time for Arsenal now.
“Arsenal have been outstanding this season and if they can get a win today it would be a huge three points. But it is a big ‘if’. The season starts now”.
Prediction
Arsenal can expect to be given a huge test by Liverpool, even despite their problems. Still, they have answered almost every single test thus far.
Arsenal to win 2-1.
Early Liverpool team news
Virgil van Dijk is set to return for Liverpool.
The defender missed Tuesday’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea due to illness but has recovered and is available for the game at Anfield.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Andy Robertson are all expected to come back into the Liverpool team after starting on the bench against Chelsea.
Liverpool could have Thiago Alcantara available but Luis Diaz is more likely to return from a long-term knee problem against Leeds on April 17.
Early Arsenal team news
Mikel Arteta has hinted at a possible return for William Saliba.
Arteta was cryptic with his team news on Friday afternoon, refusing to name a player who could make a comeback at Anfield.
Saliba has been out since March 16 with a back problem, while Eddie Nketiah has been sidelined since March 1 with an ankle injury.
Pressed on who the player was, Arteta replied simply: “I’m not going to tell you.”
Given Mohamed Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both out for the season with knee injuries, Arteta could only have been referring to Nketiah or Saliba.
The away dressing room at Anfield today
/ Arsenal FC via Getty ImagesHow to watch
TV channel: The game will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
Live stream: The Sky Go app will provide a live stream to subscribers.
Good afternoon!
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Liverpool vs Arsenal.
This feels like a big one! Arsenal travel to Anfield on a huge afternoon in the Premier League title race. Manchester City closed to within five points of the Gunners with their 4-1 win at Southampton yesterday, now it’s over to them to respond.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 4.30pm BST on Merseyside.
