Liverpool can move within a point of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table on Wednesday, but will face stern opposition against an in-form Arsenal side.
Manchester City's goalless draw against Crystal Palace on Monday could allow Liverpool the opportunity to close to within a point of the league leaders, with Jurgen Klopp's side still to play City on April 10. But first, they will have to beat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, with Mikel Arteta's side having won their last five consecutive Premier League games and only losing one of their last 11 in the league.
Klopp has been handed a huge injury boost ahead of the game after confirming that star forward Mohamed Salah has returned to training on Tuesday, with the Egyptian sustaining a foot injury in their 2-0 win over Brighton on Saturday. The Premier League top scorer sat out training on Monday but is set to be part of the travelling squad on Wednesday.
But Klopp also confirmed that midfielder James Milner and defender Kostas Tsimikas will both miss the game due to illness. Ibrahima Konate is the only other Liverpool player to be an injury doubt, with Joel Matip likely to partner Virgil van Dijk in defence.
So, what line-up will Klopp select? And, what could the final score be? We simulated the game to get a score prediction for Arsenal vs Liverpool and this is what happened...
Arsenal vs Liverpool score predicted by simulation
We used kick-off mode in FIFA 22, but didn't select a team to control, we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a score prediction.
We predict that Arsenal could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Ramsdale; Soares, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Odegaard, Martinelli; Lacazette.
We predict that Liverpool could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Thiago; Diaz, Mane, Salah.
Liverpool were under pressure in the opening 20 minutes, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli causing issues down either flank for the Gunners, as the home side started well. Martinelli had the best chance of the entire first half as the Brazilian received a smart pass from Kieran Tierney, before turning inside the box and firing a fierce shot towards goal, but Alisson Becker produced a brilliant save to tip the ball around the post for an Arsenal corner.
Liverpool's goalkeeper kept the visitors in the game with yet another fine save after the break, this time denying substitute Emile Smith Rowe after the 21-year-old drilled a shot towards the top corner, only to see the Brazilian tip the ball over the crossbar.
Liverpool were always dangerous on the counter-attack, with the pace of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz causing Tierney and Cedric Soares issues as the game advanced into the final stages. And with just five minutes to go, they found the breakthrough.
Diaz was the difference-maker for Liverpool once again, opening the scoring for the second consecutive game, after Salah set him up with a clever pass inside the Gunners' penalty box.
Salah played the ball into Diaz inside the penalty box, with the former Porto man turning sharply and placing the ball past Ramsdale and into the far corner with his weaker foot to give the Reds a 1-0 lead late on. After the goal, Liverpool controlled the game and saw out the win, securing a vital three points.
FIFA 22 predicted final score: Arsenal 0-1 Liverpool
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 22 predicts that Liverpool could come up against a spirited and confident Arsenal side, who could cause them some real problems, with the Gunners actually having a higher xG value in this simulation. But this simulation also predicts that Liverpool have enough quality both in defence and attack to make the difference, with Alisson producing outstanding saves to deny both Martinelli and Smith Rowe before Diaz scored late on to steal all three points.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments!
