Analysis: Liverpool's strongest line-up against Arsenal

Liverpool face a big test of their Premier League top four credentials at the weekend when they entertain league leaders Arsenal at Anfield.

The Reds were defeated 2-0 away from home against the same opposition earlier in the campaign so will be looking to perform rather better this time around—though they haven’t beaten the Gunners since August 2011, under Kenny Dalglish. With a two-point cushion at present between themselves and fifth-placed Everton, Liverpool will have to be at their best and hope results elsewhere fall their way to try and maintain that safety buffer inside the top four.

Here’s how the Reds should line up to face off against Arsene Wenger’s title challengers.

Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet

An easy choice in goal, Mignolet is the Reds’ undisputed No. 1 and, though he had a bad patch for a month around and after the festive period, the Belgian has still had a largely good first season with Liverpool. Mignolet has kept seven clean sheets this season, not a huge tally, but five of them have come at Anfield, the Reds’ home ground and the location of the match against Arsenal. He’ll need to be at his best to claim a sixth home shut-out, but he can take confidence in that the only real chances of note conceded in the last two games have come off set pieces or a defensive error.

Right-back: Jon Flanagan

With Glen Johnson out injured “indefinitely”, young full-back Jon Flanagan’s return to fitness couldn’t have been more timely. He’s made himself the best-performing full-back at the club this season, almost unthinkable at the start of the term, with a series of committed and energetic displays on either side of the back four. Flanagan makes an average of six defensive actions per game and has, perhaps surprisingly, won a fairly good 56% of headed duels in his nine appearances. He’s likely to be even busier at the weekend against Arsenal.

Centre-back: Martin Skrtel

The only defender who has managed to remain fit and in place all season long, Skrtel came into the team for the third game of the campaign and has played 22 times consecutively since then. He’s the Reds’—and the leagues—busiest defender in terms of defensive actions per game, registering a whopping 15 at present, though even that is on the up, making 16, 26, 16 and 21 in the Reds’ last four games respectively. Two defensive errors this season, both costing a shot on goal, is something he and the team as a whole must stamp out against the Gunners.

Centre-back: Mamadou Sakho

Kolo Toure has been the centre-back partner of late for Skrtel, but by necessity rather than choice for Brendan Rodgers. French defender Mamadou Sakho is slated for a return from a hamstring injury this weekend and, if at all possible, Rodgers needs to get him back in the team. Aside from his defensive contribution which has been impressive, Sakho has proven himself the best distributor of the ball out of defence this season, recording a 92% pass success rate and winning a very high percentage of all his duels: 57% headers, 69% tackles and even 86% of take-ons!

Left-back: Aly Cissokho

Again, due to injuries, Cissoko is the natural choice to feature on the left despite having a less-than-steady season overall. His nervy, jittery derby performance was symptomatic of his time at the club, though he was far improved against West Brom last time out. Another strong aerial option, Cissokho has won 60% of his headers this season, but could do with offering far more going forward; he has created just five chances for his team-mates in 11 games and completes just 76% of his passes, the joint lowest in the first-team squad.

Defensive midfield: Steven Gerrard

In the controlling role in front of the defence, Steven Gerrard needs an exact replica of his derby display against Arsenal. Fiercely committed, contesting every ball and spraying passes about with gusto, Gerrard ran the show that day; against the awesome front four of Arsenal he’ll need to reach that level as a minimum. He averages four defensive actions per game but expect that to continue to rise after his transition to this deeper role of late; he’s made 12, 4, 9 and 5 in the past four matches. With 42 chances created, he remains a threat for the attackers to feed off by using the space and time afforded on the ball deeper in midfield to his advantage.

Central midfield: Joe Allen

Liverpool should continue to line up in the 4-3-3 they have played of late, which means a place in the team for Joe Allen at the expense of one of the attackers. Allen not only brings an element of control to Liverpool’s build-up play and ability to retain the ball, but is also excellent at helping implement the pressing game crucial to the team’s success. A 55% tackle success, 86% pass accuracy and 10 interceptions in 12 games show some of his strengths. It’s a big ask for him to come in and perform in this game after 42 minutes in the last five games, but Liverpool need him.

Central midfield: Jordan Henderson

Jordan Henderson’s Heat Map from Arsenal 2-0 Liverpool earlier this season

No surprises for the other position, with Henderson having played in every Premier League game this season for the Reds. Other than his goals tally, which still stands at one, Henderson has been exemplary in every department for Liverpool this term; his 44 chances created is second in the squad, he’s the second-highest midfielder by pass accuracy with 86%, has made 62 clearances and won 48% of his tackles. His constant pressing and harassing of the opposition often gives Liverpool the chance to break at speed from midfield and his box-to-box play will be perfect for this game.

Right forward : Raheem Sterling

Sterling is arguably the most in-form Liverpool player right now, working the right flank to great effect at both ends of the field. His pace and driving runs scare the life out of defenders, as his 62% take-on success alludes to, while 26 chances created shows he can contribute where it matters most. He should certainly have a few more than the three goals to his name he has managed so far, especially where clear chances are concerned, but he continues to improve tactically and he knows now when to run infield into space, and when to stretch play wide.

Left forward: Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool want to get both their main forwards on the pitch, so that means starting with one of them wide, which at this moment is Daniel Sturridge from the left. He’s far from confined to that side of the pitch though, roaming centrally and beyond the main striker to make use of space and stretch the opposition’s defence. With five goals in his last four games he’s a man in form and with a 55% shot accuracy this season there’s a fair chance that he’ll trouble Wojciech Szczesny if he even manages to get two shots away during the game.

Centre-forward: Luis Suarez

The Reds’, and the league’s, top scorer this season, Luis Suarez, will start as Liverpool’s striker. Like Sturridge, he has freedom to roam all over the pitch and create chances from deeper areas, often switching to the left side to allow Sturridge to run through. As if his 23 goals in just 19 games wasn’t enough, he’s also created 54 chances this season, more than any other Liverpool player, and wins 41% of all his duels. Suarez is a real match winner, especially at Anfield this season, and Liverpool will want him right at his best to try to take what would be a big three points.