In recent years Liverpool will have been very relaxed about the prospect of facing Arsenal, with Jurgen Klopp’s side boasting the most impressive record against the Gunners.
Under Jurgen Klopp's watch, the Reds have claimed emphatic 4-0, 5-1 and 3-1 victories over the North London outfit, with any defeats as a result of a penalty shoot-out, or in the case of July 2020, a dead-rubber behind closed doors during the pandemic when the German’s side had already clinched the league title.
That loss actually remains Klopp’s only defeat to Arsenal inside 90 minutes from the 18 meetings between the two sides since he took over as Liverpool manager in October 2015. Meanwhile, he'd win two and draw one of his six meetings with the Gunners as Borussia Dortmund manager when they were drawn against each other three times in four seasons in the group stages between 2011 and 2014.
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As such, the Reds and Klopp have become something of a bogey team and manager for Arsenal in recent years. They were even mocked after the ‘All or Nothing: Arsenal’ Amazon Prime fly-on-the-wall documentary series showed Arteta playing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ in training ahead of a trip to Anfield in what proved to be a failed attempt to prepare his side. Yet they’ll be their most confident heading into a clash with Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s meeting at the Emirates.
League-leaders having won seven of their eight games so far this year, they're a point clear at the top of the table and 11 points clear of ninth-placed Liverpool. Throw in Europa League football and they have won nine of their 10 matches, with a 3-1 loss at Old Trafford the only blemish against their name.
Claiming a convincing victory last time out in the Premier League as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in the North London derby, Arteta was able to rotate his pack for Thursday night’s clash with Bodo/Glimt as only Gabriel, Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Martinelli kept their starting berths from the victory over Spurs. Meanwhile, regular starters Ben White, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus were introduced from the bench as goals from Eddie Nketiah, Rob Holding and Fabio Vieira clinched a 3-0 win.
The eight changes Arteta made to his side to face Bodo/Glimt is one more than he called upon for Arsenal’s opening Europa League clash with FC Zurich, having lost 3-1 to Manchester United days earlier. When returning to Premier League action away at Brentford, he’d ensure his side remained fresh by making a further five changes.
As a result, having rested a number of players on Thursday night, it would be no surprise to see the Spaniard rotate his side once again and revert to full strength when Liverpool arrive at the Emirates.
Having not competed in the Champions League since 2016/17, the Europa League has been Arsenal’s best chance of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition in recent years with the winners earning a place in the following year’s group-stages. Yet they have fallen short after losing the final to Chelsea in 2018/19 and twice suffering semi-final exits. Meanwhile, last season they failed to compete in Europe at all.
Of course, seeing a top side rotate their side and rest players for Europa League matches is nothing new, with Liverpool themselves doing exactly the same when Roy Hodgson and Brendan Rodgers were in charge.
But given Arsenal’s start to the season, the Europa League is quickly becoming less important. While the Premier League title might ultimately prove to be beyond their grasp come May despite their strong start to the campaign, they’ll be confident of securing a top-four finish at the very least.
As a result Liverpool should certainly be-wary of the in-form Gunners at the Emirates. While Arsenal were in action on Thursday night, Arteta managed to rest so many of his strongest legs and it would be no surprise if he made a further eight changes on Sunday.
Now he’ll look to unleash his confident, rested star players - many of whom the Reds have been linked with and Klopp has publicly shared his admiration for in the past - against Liverpool. And, with the Spaniard's side having grown tired of their role as ‘big six’ whipping boys, they will look to settle a few scores once and for all convince their doubters that they really are genuine title-challengers.
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