Liverpool vs Arsenal - 4 key battles | Premier League 2021-22

#3 Sadio Mane (Liverpool) vs Ben White (Arsenal)

West Ham United v Liverpool - Premier League

Sadio Mane has surely had better seasons for Liverpool in the past, but he is still their second highest scorer this season after Salah. This is exactly the kind of game the Senegalese would like to get back to form with.

But to do that, he would have to better of Ben White. He has been a revelation for Arsenal at the back since the 5-0 loss against Manchester City. He leads the team in clearances (4.5 per game) and blocks (4.5 per game), and has been dribbled past just 0.2 times per game.

Mane completes 1.1 dribbles per game and takes 3.4 shots per game. This puts him directly at odds with the Englishman, who neutralizes both of his strong points. White also has the most interceptions (14) for Arsenal, and will be a key figure in preventing long passes pinging into the forwards.

After a minor injury scare, Sadio Mane has now been confirmed to be available for the clash. Mane would like to get back to his days of fun scoring soon with Liverpool, and the sooner the better.

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#4 Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) vs Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

West Ham United v Liverpool - Premier League

In the battle of the creators, it is an unlikely one. While Alexander-Arnold has always been one of Liverpool's primary passers, Bukayo Saka's rise at Arsenal has been unbelievable but deserving.

Both Englishmen lead their respective teams in terms of key passes. But Alexander-Arnold (3.3 per game) blows Saka (1.7 per game) out of the water in sheer numbers. The Liverpool man also takes more shots per game (1.9 to 1.6) but Saka completes more dribbes (0.8 to 0.1) per game.

While the two will not see much of each other directly, their battle will prove all the more decisive depending on who has a better night. With Alexander-Arnold also involved in defending duties against Smith Rowe and Aubameyang, Saka has a chance to put one up over his full countryman.