Liverpool need to establish control and tempo against Arsenal

Liverpool need to control the midfield if they want to beat Arsenal.

Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool are set to take on the Gunners of Mikel Arteta at Anfield come Monday for match day three.

Liverpool had not lost in nearly a dozen outings against Arsenal before their defeat at the Emirates Stadium in London at the end if the past campaign. The subsequent loss in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium made two in a row for Arteta’s men.

The Reds will be looking to put the brakes on that form these past two meetings. Some context is important here; the first loss was a result of the champaign hangover after the Premier League win was confirmed and the second came in the Community Shield final.

The last time Liverpool lost a match at Anfield was April 2017 against Crystal Palace but that streak will be put to the test come Monday.

Arsenal have yet to drop points this campaign, like the champion Reds, and it should prove to be a very good match all round. A chess match of sorts between Arteta and Klopp.

Make no mistake here, Liverpool will be hungry for all three points. Putting the first month of the campaign to bed without dropping points will be foremost in these players minds. They know full well they can ill afford to drop points here, and not to Arsenal.

Expect the Reds to play to their strengths and to play ‘good football’ by Klopp’s high standards.

Liverpool are coming off of a well played win at Stamford Bridge on the weekend past. Hit with a few injuries, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is out long term (at least 6 weeks), Joel Matip has only returned to training as well as Jordan Henderson; who played the first half against Chelsea. These lads will be unavailable.

I expect Allison to be between the posts, replacing Adrian, who started yesterday in their third round Carabao Cup tie with Lincoln City. Adrian performed well for the most part but conceded two second half goals in a 7-2 win on the road. He did makes several classy saves in that second period as well.

With Hendo out, look for Fabinho to start in the no. 6 role and Gini Wijnaldum with Thiago comprising the gaffer’s midfield. Naby Keita and James Milner should make the bench with Curtis Jones, who has earned his place in the side albeit on the bench at this point.

Klopp will pick a strong side and they will need to have their pressing and shooting boots polished and composed against a Gunners side that has been in very good form of late.

A strong midfield showing here establishing possession and commanding tempo will be instrumental in breaking down the Gunners.

With that midfield three, we should have no problems at all.