Liverpool’s defensive record to be tested by new-look Arsenal
Arsenal’s recent record at Anfield reads like a Stephen King classic — but a new-look attack has the potential to expose the cracks in Liverpool’s previously impenetrable defence this weekend.
EPL
Don't miss out on the headlines from EPL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Three weeks into the Premier League season and things couldn’t be going better for Liverpool.
Two games, two wins, six goals scored, two conceded, top of the table and clear of their biggest title rival by two precious points after Manchester City’s draw with Tottenham last weekend, as well as the (pointless) European Super Cup already in the trophy cabinet.
This weekend’s visitors to Anfield represent a different level of challenge for Jurgen Klopp’s team, however, with the threat of an attacking unit that has the potential to prise open the thin cracks that have been identified in the Reds’ previously impenetrable armour during the opening stages of the season.
Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14 day free trial >
That Norwich were sent packing on the back of a 4-1 rout on the opening day was no surprise but, as ever, the performance was not as black and white as the result.
Norwich managed 12 shots on target to Liverpool’s own 15 — impressive for a recently promoted side at the home of the European champions — with Finnish striker Teemu Pukki scoring one and creating at least three more clear cut chances that a more clinical Premier League team would have put away.
Similarly, in the Super Cup final, Chelsea’s midfield of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho and $100 million 20-year-old midfielder Christian Pulisic had the experience to match Liverpool’s energy in the middle and the vision and skill to exploit the spaces behind it.
Frank Lampard’s side could only manage one goal against Manchester United in their opening game but they got two against last season’s meanest defence, and in the end 21-year-old Tammy Abraham’s penalty shootout miss was the only difference between the two sides.
And then again against Southampton last weekend, Liverpool blustered their way past opponents who really should have done better. The fatigue from their Super Cup exertions was obvious but it was a weakness Southampton should have exploited better.
The Saints were much the better team in the first half, and like Norwich, almost matched Liverpool’s shot count 14-15. Former Red Danny Ings had at least four clear scoring chances, and it wasn’t right that the only way he could score was a fortuitous rebound from stand-in keeper Adrian’s disastrous attempt at passing out from the back.
Blame for these uncharacteristic leaks has been laid at the high line Klopp’s defence has adopted this season, which aims compress the opposition’s space to transition from defence to attack, giving greater penetration to those marauding fullbacks, and places its faith in the introduction of VAR to correctly catch even the slightest offside call from the opposition trying to catch them out.
But clearly the tactic is not without risk given the inviting space rival teams can see behind Virgil van Dijk’s imposing presence, and strikers who hang on the Dutchman’s shoulder will get opportunities from long balls over the top and accurate through balls from midfield.
Which is why Arsenal will be the biggest test so far of Klopp’s latest tactical evolution.
This column spoke last week about Arsenal’s struggle to remain relevant in the fight for the top four but two games in, there are causes for optimism. The Gunners were behind only Liverpool and City for goals scored last season (73, 89, 95 respectively) and have even greater potency this term. We haven’t seen much of Nicolas Pepe yet but alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, the $128m forward completes an Arsenal front line that offers pace, power and precision.
Similarly, 23-year-old Dani Ceballos, on loan from Real Madrid, demonstrated against Burnley last week that he could be one of the bargains of the season, excelling in a central midfield role and his bite and quick thinking could be another threat to Liverpool’s high line.
Of course the Reds’ back four has the pace and ability to keep up with almost every opposition attack — what will be of interest is what midfield Klopp will select. The German rejected chose to keep faith in his talent-packed squad, rather than further lavish outlay on a big name transfer and nowhere is that tactic clearer than in the middle. On any day, Liverpool could select three from Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Xherdan Shaqiri, Naby Keïta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana.
Given Arsenal’s ability in this area, it seems likely Fabinho and Henderson will return after being rested against Southampton, with either Milner or Wijnaldum adding energy and technique. But there is enough firepower on the bench to stretch the Gunners if things start to get tight for the home side.
Arsenal’s recent history at Anfield reads like a Stephen King classic — they haven’t won there since 2012 and have lost four of the past six games with a cumulative score of 22-8. It’s no wonder Unai Emery recently joked, “We don’t ever want to play against Liverpool”.
But with two wins to start the season and a little more bite than before, the Gunners have reason to believe they can leave Anfield with a bit more than red faces and bad memories.