Liverpool vs Arsenal preview - 3 prime points

Liverpool, the EPL leaders going into 2019 in any event, face Arsenal in one of the standout clashes in any season.

These two sides alone stand among the biggest, grandest, most-followed, and most successful English football clubs. They have helped shape the culture, tone, and appeal of English football in many ways and they both stand amongst the old guard of the country's footballing institutions. Great games between them include the 1971 FA Cup final, and the noted title decider in 1989, where Arsenal won 2-0 to secure the league in Liverpool's backyard.

The most noted game at Anfield was in the 1988/89 season title decider, which Arsenal won 2-0 at the death.

This season though, it seems that Liverpool is more in the title hunt, with Arsenal content to settle for top four football. Liverpool hasn't won the league since 1990, and whilst winning 18 league titles in total, haven't won the modern incarnation of the English top division (i.e. the Premier League). Arsenal, with fewer leagues than the Reds (13) can say they have won the English top division in its modern guise, at the least.

Arsenal's last win at Anfield was a 2-0 victory in 2012.

The goals of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane, and the stout defence boosted by Virgil van Dijk are key facets of Liverpool's title challenge. While Arsenal are no slouches offensively, Liverpool certainly have an advantage defensively. The exploits of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dejan Lovren have contributed much.

Firmino opened the scoring in last season's corresponding fixture, which Liverpool won 4-0.

The Reds also are unbeaten, which from an Arsenal standpoint is intriguing, since they are the only club in the modern era to go unbeaten as champions. This could provide an extra incentive in this regard, with the Gunners looking to protect their record at whatever cost.

Liverpool may be favourites here, but there are some additional factors.

Can the Reds stop Aubameyang, who leads the EPL scoring charts going into this game?

How will Arsenal limit Salah, who is looking to boost his Golden Boot credentials?

What tactics can Unai Emery employ to limit Jurgen Klopp's side?

This is a key game for both sides, as Liverpool will be looking to extend their lead over Spurs and Man City at the top. Arsenal, after a draw at Brighton, will also be looking to bounce back.

It will be an intriguing game between two gold standard English football clubs.

#3. Battle of the super-forwards

Aubameyang and Salah will go head to head in this critical fixture.

Mohamed Salah is Liverpool's best forward, and he has been critical in the club topping the Premier League currently. His strike partners, Firmino and Mane, also are clinical, but he is the key man which Arsenal perhaps should fear. Similarly, whilst Liverpool's defence is better than Arsenal's, they would be remiss to discount Aubameyang's power. Following a prolific stint in the Bundesliga at Borussia Dortmund, he is firing amazingly now at Arsenal.

Salah and Aubameyang are second and first respectively in the scoring charts, and if either side is to win, they both have to be firing. The Golden Boot race, which Aubameyang is leading presently, will be an additional incentive for the opposing pair here.

How Arsenal win is dependent, in part, on how well Aubameyang features, and how Liverpool can stop him and the supply to him. Denying space and opportunity to Salah and co. will be key for Emery and Arsenal.

Moreover, the other forwards each club has (Lacazette for Arsenal, Firmino, Mane, and Sturridge for Liverpool) need to fill in if either super-forward doesn't have a good day.

What's certain is that either forward will be critical in securing a win, and it's a boon to have these two world-class players in the Premier League. This match will be a battle of the super-forwards, and essentially which one of them can top the day.

#2. Tactical Approaches

Liverpool

Liverpool certainly have a better defence and more attacking depth. Their midfield is similar in form to Arsenal's, with a mix of hard-working box-to-box midfielders (Milner/Henderson), and more progressive ball-carrying players (Keita).

However, given Liverpool's superior attack, they know that Arsenal's defence is weak. Arsenal currently has the worst Goals Against tally in the top five. In addition to that, they have made numerous key defensive errors this season.

Liverpool celebrate a goal during the Newcastle game

So for Liverpool, high pressing is a key here. Arsenal, under Emery, has improved with playing from the back. Yet, without a full-strength defence and the long-standing defensive frailties, Liverpool and Klopp would be negligent to not exploit this.

The midfield may be even in form, but the game could be won by shutting down Aubameyang and/or Lacazette and pressing Arsenal's defence into making errors.

Bernd Leno has been a stable addition, but then the defenders in front of him are still poorly organised.

The cards are in the Reds' favour, and they need to utilise them effectively.

Arsenal

For Arsenal, the prominent tactical points are to stop Salah and, by extension, Firmino and Mane. Salah is the better forward, but they are all major threats.

This can be done by limiting the supply from the midfield and playing a back three. Arsenal did similarly in the 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium earlier this season and was very capable on the day.

Lucas Torreira, Arsenal's number 11 man.

For this game, something similar may be needed, in addition to controlling the midfield. Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka, and Matteo Guendouzi could start again. Emery may, instead, choose to bring in Aaron Ramsey to add more pressing and energy going forward. Ainsley Maitland-Niles could use this game to prove his midfield potential, as a burgeoning box-to-box player.

It's imperative that Arsenal are resolute at the back since Liverpool will see this as a boon to exploit. If this can be done, supply is brought to Aubameyang and Lacazette, the midfield can nullify Liverpool's midfield and defence, and they can get a result.

#1. Prediction

Arsenal FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League

Liverpool are the clear favourites here. Though to be fair, during the return fixture at Arsenal in the autumn, the Gunners, despite the draw, were the better side throughout.

They won this fixture 4-0 last season, and this season, they have been the superior side between the two.

Moreover, they are holistically a better team and have a far superior defensive structure. Arsenal's full-strength defence are individually good - they all are international players, and Leno was recently incorporated into the German national team. Yet, Liverpool has a more structured defence, in part created due to Virgil van Dijk's presence.

Liverpool is also unbeaten, and desperately want to win a trophy for the first time since Sir Kenny Dalglish's time as manager, but nothing is certain. Emery is making Arsenal more tactically flexible, and the team is better suited to meet the opposition's characteristics, compared to the latter Wenger period.

But then given current form, and even Aubameyang's goals and good performances, Liverpool would be remiss to not win this. Arsenal has qualities, but they are not favourites here.

Mane and Lacazette are also key figures in this game

A draw or a Liverpool win seem the most likely options, but then Liverpool would still have to work to get a victory. It should be an exciting game, as both teams and managers do like to play good football.