Liverpool are being tipped to beat Arsenal in the Premier League this evening - but have been warned that it will not be easy.
The Reds take on the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium as they look to close the gap on leaders Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp’s side are four points behind with a game in hand, and that could be narrowed down to one point with victory today.
Arsenal have been familiar opponents for Liverpool this season, with there already being three meetings between the two clubs. The Reds won the league fixture in November 4-0, before claiming a 2-0 aggregate win in the Carabao Cup semi-final in January.
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Liverpool’s last visit to the Emirates saw them claim a 2-0 victory in the second leg of that semi-final. Diogo Jota scored both goals that evening to send the Reds to Wembley for the final, which they would go on to win.
Despite Arsenal’s recent upturn in form, former Gunners star Paul Merson believes that he still expects Liverpool to win. Mikel Arteta’s side have won their last five league matches to move up to fourth place in the league table.
"Watching both cup games, I'd be shocked if they [Arsenal] turned it around that quickly," Merson told Sky Sports .
"Liverpool look like they're more established. Liverpool have got to go out and win this game. Arsenal have done what they've had to do - they've beat the other teams.
"We haven't talked too many times and said, 'Oh, Arsenal have drawn with Watford at home 0-0'. Man Utd haven't won games they should have won and Arsenal have.
"If you do that, it doesn't really matter what you do against the big three. They've been consistent against the teams they should beat."
Merson’s views were echoed by Liverpool legend Ian Rush, who has outlined why Arsenal will pose a tough test for the Reds. Rush also argued why Liverpool will need to be “at their best” in order to claim all three points tonight.
“Arsenal away on Wednesday looks like a very, very tricky game for Liverpool with the way the Gunners are playing at the moment,” Rush told Gambling.com .
“I’ve said from the start of the season that I fancied them to finish in the top four this term and right now it looks as though it’s theirs to lose.
“Liverpool will have to be at their best or they could quite easily lose at the Emirates. They might not have played as well as they can against Brighton or West Ham, but they were able to do enough.
“Against this Arsenal side, no less than their best will do, and that’s a credit to Mikel Arteta who has rewarded the club for their faith in him, bearing in mind there were quite a few calls for his head at the beginning of the season when they got off to a rocky start.”
