Liverpool will welcome Arsenal on Friday at Anfield in the Carabao Cup clash. Here is our exclusive Liverpool vs Arsenal match preview. It’s a rare and enjoyable moment for the football fraternity as Liverpool and Arsenal are again locking their horns after only 72 hours after facing each other. The setting has changed this time, it’s not the Premier League but the Carabao Cup. The Reds are in fine form coming from a 3-1 win against the Gunners at Anfield, Arsenal will be coming to the match with the intention of correcting the wrongs from the previous match and try to move to the next round in the competition. Let’s see how the two teams will look to counter each other in this crucial tie.
Liverpool expected Starting XI: The Reserves will be on Duty
As per reliable sources, Liverpool will be looking to field their team in this Liverpool vs Arsenal match with squad players who are raring to go and prove themselves in front of Klopp. The back four will be consist of regular players like Van Dijk and Gomez or Fabinho. Neco Williams and James Milner are expected to be the full-backs. Kostas Tsimikas hasn’t trained with the squad for the last two days and will most probably miss the match. The midfield three will consist of Curtis, Grujic, and Shaqiri, which is unchanged from the Lincoln City game. The front three are expected to be of Elliot, Minamino, and Jota. Origi may also start by replacing any of the front 3 members. So it will be a chance for the young Reds to stake their claim for the first team. Adrian will start under the goal.
Tactical Setup of Liverpool
Our Liverpool vs Arsenal match preview also features the tactical setup for Liverpool. The tactics may remain the same from the 3-1 win against Gunners a fortnight ago. Liverpool will try to win the ball back high up the pitch as soon as they lose the ball. The backline will be high and Grujic will drop in between the center backs and can become the link between the defense and midfield. Neco and Milner will be expected to overlap a lot to provide the team’s attacking third width. Neco is expected to be the more advancing of the two full-backs. The center backs will try to play the long balls directing the wide players upfront to get over Arsenal’s central press.
The wingers will place themselves between the lines and will try to make most of the opportunities they get. Minamino may drop a bit to play the Firmino role and create space up front to set up the link-up play with the wing forwards. In the case of counter-attacks, the fullbacks along with the central banks will rush back and their speed and positioning can come to their aid.
They will try to make Aubameyang (if he plays) starve for the balls to. The Reds will try to avoid defensive results that can result in goals like the previous match. Liverpool will try to wrest the control of the play in the midfield with their high-intensity pressing, giving away fewer balls to the opponent can make them restless and can force them to commit errors. With players like Shaqiri in midfield, we may see the fullbacks in more of a defensive role tomorrow. Despite everything, Liverpool will try to win this match as they are on their pursuit of collecting trophies with Jurgen Klopp in the charge.
Arsenal expected Playing XI: A changed side
Arsenal will also try to test their bench in this Liverpool vs Arsenal match but injuries to the defenders may cause hindrance. The Arsenal side may play in a 4-3-3 formation, switching from their 3-4-3 formation. Saliba may get his first start for the club alongside impressive Gabriel in the central defense. Kolasinac and Cedric will be the full-back pairing. The midfield three of Ceballos, Willock, and Xhaka. In front of three Pepe, Nketiah and Nelson will be the deal, in goal will be the new signing Runnarson who will make his debut at the club.
Tactical Setup of Arsenal
Our Liverpool vs Arsenal match preview also features the tactical setup for Arsenal. Arsenal under Mikel Arteta has undergone some fundamental changes which can be expected tomorrow. Arsenal will try to play their way out from the back with a sequence of passing, but they must be wary of Liverpool’s press as a single error can lead to a goal. Ceballos and Xhaka will try to control the game from the midfield with experience and technical prowess both leaning heavily on their side.
Arsenal front three can be an interesting and unpredictable one. Nelson and Pepe both being pacy can make life tough for the Liverpool full-backs, Liverpool’s high backline defense will mean the two wingers along with Nketiah will try to make runs from behind the Liverpool defense to catch the balls which are sent over the top of Liverpool defense.
Saliba and Runnarson can have some butterflies in their stomach as it’s their debut, so the rest of the team should try to ease them into the game. Arteta will rely on his substitutes in case of conceding early goals. Arsenal will be seen to target the weak right side of Liverpool a lot with pace and skill. Arsenal will try to score early in the game to put pressure on the Premier League Champions. There is no scope of error in defense and midfield as it can cause a serious problem with Liverpool always lurking in breathing distance with their high pressing.
Final Thoughts
The whole football world’s eye will be on this Liverpool vs Arsenal match. With both sides expected to field their reserve squad, we may see an exciting encounter with both sets of players trying to make a stamp in the manager’s mind. Jota will be looking forward to this encounter so will Saliba as both are in the beginning stages of their career in new clubs. Experienced workhorses like Kolasinac and Milner will also fight for prestige. No one will take the match easy as both will be looking to exert their dominance. Can Liverpool do a double over Gunners or the resurrection is expected from Arteta’s men?
What is your opinion on the Liverpool vs Arsenal Match Preview? Who do you think will win this fixture? Let us know in the comment section below.
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