Game Week 36 Predictions: Arsenal to win at Anfield

Arsenal visit champions Liverpool needing a win to secure UCL qualification, while the Reds rotate in party mood. Saka and Salah key in Anfield game.

Arsenal needs some good news from somewhere after a torrid week, will they find joy at Anfield? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Liverpool vs Arsenal

Anfield

4:30pm

Arsenal’s second spot was in danger before Manchester City went to Southampton on Saturday, but, after the former champions were held to a goalless draw, Arsenal can breathe easy.

It’s been a horrible past two weeks for the Gunners; Mikel Arteta’s men have been bundled out of the Champions League after losing home and away against PSG, and they saw their rivals advance in the other European competitions. Where do they go from here?

Liverpool is still in party mood; Arne Slot could still afford to rotate, and the loss away at Chelsea last weekend doesn’t take anything away from their trophy pride. They are the champions of the land and will get a deserved guard of honour from the Gunners on Sunday.

In the loss to Chelsea, it was clear that Liverpool wasn’t exactly interested. They didn’t chase second balls as much as they did all through the season, and maybe Alexis Mac Allister is more important than we think he is; he is the glue in their midfield, and his absence in the first half showed greatly.

The reverse fixture ended 2-2 at the Emirates; it was a missed opportunity by the Gunners, who led twice, but injury to Gabriel Maghalaes and Timber in the game meant they finished the game without their first-choice defenders, as William Saliba was suspended for the game.

There’s really not too much to this game apart from Arsenal proving they’re not as bad as their recent results suggest. The Gunners must now focus on the transfer window; they cannot afford to miss it again; they won’t have an easier season to win the title.

How will they approach this game? The hosts don’t have any reason to go all hard; they will probably rotate again but with the core of the first eleven retained. From goalkeeper Alison to Virgil Van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Mohammed Salah, Slot will move things around in other places.

For the Gunners, it’s a lot of pain coming into this fixture after what happened in midweek, but they need just one win to guarantee Champions League football for next season, with Chelsea still facing two of the top six and Arsenal facing Southampton on the final day.

Bukayo Saka remains the man to watch for the visitors; the winger has shown he can be relied upon many times. He must do it again on Sunday even as Mohamed Salah continues to fight for the Golden Boot that seems destined to be his.

Verdict: Arsenal to win