Liverpool are back in Premier League action this weekend as they take on Arsenal on Sunday.
The Reds travel to the Emirates Stadium to face the Gunners as they look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League. Liverpool are without a victory in the top flight since the end of August.
Jurgen Klopp ’s side go into the game on the back of a convincing 2-0 win over Rangers in the Champions League in midweek. Arsenal, meanwhile, claimed a 3-0 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Plenty of pundits have had their say on how they think Sunday’s match between Liverpool and Arsenal will play out. Here is a round-up of the predictions for this weekend’s fixture.
READ MORE: What Jurgen Klopp didn't reveal in press conference as Liverpool transfer speculation fuelled
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp faces controversial call he has made once before at Liverpool
Robbie Savage, via The Mirror
“Only eight games in, Liverpool are basically out of the title race and Arsenal are genuine contenders,” said Savage.
“Anyone who had made such an outlandish prediction before a ball was kicked in August would have been advised to lie down in a darkened room. If north London was going to launch a sustained bid to win the Premier League, most people would have thought Tottenham were the likeliest candidate.
“But every time we have written off the Gunners, so far they have come up with the answers. The longer they remain front-runners, the more odds will shorten on them – and I fancy them to beat Liverpool this weekend.
“Penalty shoot-outs aside, Arsenal have only won one of their last 19 meetings with the Kop in all competitions. But it's amazing how quickly the sands can shift in football, and right now the momentum is with Mikel Arteta's side.
“Remember how, after the Community Shield, the talk was of Darwin Nunez and Erling Haaland going head-to-head for the Golden Boot? So far, Haaland has outscored Liverpool's record signing 19-2, and although I don't doubt his quality, clearly the Uruguayan striker will need more time to adapt to English football.”
Chris Sutton via BBC Sport .
“The way Arsenal went at Tottenham last weekend was impressive, and bodes well for this game too,” said Sutton.
“While the Gunners are playing well and are full of confidence, things still aren’t right at Liverpool as far as I can see.
“Jurgen Klopp’s side were very comfortable against Rangers in the Champions League on Tuesday but they weren’t tested defensively. Here, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus won’t give them a minute’s peace.
“I think Liverpool will score, even though they have not quite clicked yet this season, but Arsenal’s attacking talent are going to cause them a lot of problems at the other end. I’m going 4-1.”
Paul Merson, via Sportskeeda .
“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,” said Merson. “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.”
Graeme Souness, via the Mail Online .
"The few signings Klopp made this summer have not been ready to play a major part, which is understandable,” said Souness.
“At 23, Darwin Nunez is a year older than Erling Haaland but he's had to be treated with kid gloves and brought on gradually. Every player is different, in that respect.
“Nunez said this week that he's been struggling to understand what Klopp is saying, as he deals with the language barrier. That certainly can be an issue for new players, though the top ones work it out very quickly. We're also still waiting to see Arthur Melo.
"While the team wait for the new signings to bed in, we will see in the next eight days, with the game at Arsenal tomorrow and Manchester City at Anfield next Sunday, how the current Liverpool players deal with the biggest test they have known as a group.
“Gabriel Martinelli will be a big part of the threat to them at the Emirates. He has great feet and looks to me like he's going to be a real player. Trent Alexander-Arnold will need help from his centre halves and midfield."
READ NEXT:
- Liverpool hit by new injury blow before Arsenal clash as midfielder sidelined
- Mikel Arteta has just dropped a major Arsenal selection hint for Liverpool
- Five things spotted in Liverpool training as three players absent but duo return ahead of Arsenal
- 'No fear' - Arsenal star sends blunt warning to Liverpool ahead of Premier League clash
- Jurgen Klopp makes 'unpredictable' Liverpool formation admission and issues Darwin Nunez warning
