Liverpool have been warned they will be “ripped to shreds” by Arsenal if Jurgen Klopp goes with a certain tactic.
The Reds make the trip to the Emirtates on Sunday to take on the table-topping Gunners.. Jurgen Klopp ’s side go into the fixture on the back of a convincing win over Rangers in the Champions League on Tuesday.
However, before that Liverpool were held to a 3-3 draw with Brighton at Anfield in the league last weekend. As a result, they are without a win in the top-flight since the end of August.
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Klopp employed a new tactic during the 2-0 home victory over Rangers, with four of his main forwards all in the starting line-up. Darwin Nunez, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota all got the nod, but the Reds boss has been told a similar approach against Arsenal would be a mistake by Paul Merson.
Sky Sports pundit Merson, who won two league titles with the Gunners during his playing days, is backing his former club to come out on top this weekend, winning 2-1, and in making his prediction, has sent a warning to Klopp.
“This is a harder game for Arsenal than the Tottenham one and I say this because the fans and the players were naturally hyped for the derby,” Merson wrote for Sportskeeda . “If Arsenal win against Liverpool and manage to stay close to Manchester City in the coming months, they could well be contenders for the Premier League title this season.
“They need to keep their players fit, but Mikel Arteta will believe the Gunners have reasons to believe they can go all the way. Liverpool played against Rangers in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday and won quite comfortably, while Arsenal are in UEFA Europa League action on Thursday (they won 3-0 at home to Bodø/Glimt) .
“The Reds will have a bit more rest heading into the much-anticipated Premier League clash, but on current form, Arsenal are probably favourites as things stand. Liverpool played four forwards against Rangers and dominated the game as they secured a 2-0 win at Anfield. Against Arsenal, though, I think they'll get ripped to shreds if they play Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara against the likes of Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard as the Gunners trio have been in sublime form this season.
“Roberto Firmino could come back into the team for this one, while Fabinho could slot into midfield to give them some more protection away from home. just fancy Arsenal, but I'm not as confident as I was against Tottenham. There was no way Arsenal were going to lose that game, I'm not as sure with this one as it represents a different test for the table toppers.
“This is a massive game for the Gunners and could be one of the biggest tests of Arteta's managerial career so far.”
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