'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
In a blockbuster clash in Anfield, Liverpool will host Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.
The two teams enter the contest in contrasting runs of form. The Reds, following a bright start, have failed to win their last two games. Meanwhile, The Gunners sit just two points below Liverpool in fifth despite losing their opening three games.
Mikel Arteta's side have revived their campaign with a stunning turnaround in form. They could pose a tough test for The Reds, who're looking to return to winning ways.
Trending
A draw to Brighton was followed by a 3-2 defeat to West Ham in their last game before the international break, which ended Liverpool's unbeaten run.
However, Liverpool will be confident of their chances tonight considering their impeccable record against The Gunners. They have won each of their last five home games while scoring at least thrice.
Ahead of this mouth-watering kick-off, here's how Liverpool and Arsenal would line up in a hypothetical combined XI:
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Aaron Ramsdale has been superb for Arsenal lately, and no one can deny his quality. But his Liverpool counterpart gets the nod here for his superior consistency.
Alisson has transformed Liverpool's fortunes since his transfer from AS Roma. Following an error-prone 2020-21 campaign, he has returned to his impeccable best this campaign.
With five clean sheets to his name, he currently trails only Ederson and Edouard Mendy in the league (both on 6). Alisson has made 23 saves in ten league appearances this season.
Right-back: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
The 23-year-old Liverpool right-back has returned to his attacking best this season. Trent Alexander-Arnold has produced impressive stats, with one goal and four assists already in nine league games.
His xG for assists (4.1) is better than any other player in the league this season.
His crossing ability is second to none. That he demonstrated against West Ham United with a sublime free-kick, showing that he can be a potent threat from set-pieces too.
Centre-back: Ben White (Arsenal)
After initially struggling to live up to his £50 million price tag, Ben White is finally producing the kind of form that convinced Arsenal to splurge on him.
Ben White is averaging almost four clearances per game. He has forged a stoic partnership with Gabriel in the Arsenal defence. In six games together, they've conceded only six times.
Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Virgil van Dijk has made an impressive return from injury this season. Although his performances have come under question at times, he remains a key figure in Liverpool's defence.
With his superb positional sense, ball-playing ability and strong leadership qualities, he's everything that's required in a modern-day centre-back. Virgil van Dijk's aerial prowess, too, is well documented.
Left-back: Kieran Tierney (Arsenal)
Andrew Robertson's injury isn't serious. But sources close to Liverpool have revealed that it's unlikely they're going to risk the Scotsman for the Arsenal clash.
So we're going with his compatriot Kieran Tierney here. He has played every game for Arsenal until an injury last month. Tierney has impressed with his all-round performances down the left.
Defensive Midfielder: Fabinho (Liverpool)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has relieved injury fears surrounding the Brazilian after he wasn't pictured at their training ground lately. Fabinho only took a recovery session in private.
He was in excellent form for the Selecao during the international break. His presence in Liverpool's midfield on Saturday could be crucial in impeding Arsenal's attacking play.
Right Winger: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Where do we even begin with Mohamed Salah? He has left us exhausted of superlatives with his seamless potential. The Liverpool ace has scored ten league goals and bagged six assists from 11 games this season.
His red-hot form has appeared to fizzle out lately. Salah has drawn a blank in his last three games in all competitions. But the Egyptian's excellent record against The Gunners means he could make a comeback against them.
Attacking Midfielder: Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal)
The young Englishman has been a revelation this season. So much so that Emil Smith Rowe even broke into Gareth Southgate's England set-up during the international break. He contributed two goals in The Three Lions' 10-0 demolition of San Marino in the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers.
He comes to Anfield tonight on the back of a goal in each of his last three league appearances. Smith Rowe's passing range could be a menace for The Reds.
Left Winger: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
With six goals in 11 league games this season, Sadio Mane is behind only Michail Antonio and his teammate Mohamed Salah in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot.
His pace, athleticism and deadly finishing skills have been tough to handle for opposition teams. It will be interesting to see how Arsenal, who've conceded seven times to him, deal with Mane's threat on Saturday.
Striker: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal)
Arsenal's fairy-tale revival following a torrid start to their 2021-22 season is directly attributable to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's return to form. He has contributed nine goals in 11 games across competitions this campaign.
That includes five in the Premier League, his four strikes being the joint-most in the Arsenal squad. His movement and eye for goal could pose a real test of Liverpool's defence, which has conceded five times in their last two league games.
Striker: Diogo Jota (Liverpool)
With an identical record of four goals and one assist, Diogo Jota joins Aubameyang in our hypothetical XI. He has established himself in Klopp's line-up this season.
He was on target against Arsenal in both league games last campaign, including a stunning double at the Emirates. That's something he'll look to replicate at Anfield on Saturday against Arsenal.
