Key occasions
From the archive
“Phew, nicely I’d name it the match of the century, I don’t learn about Match of the Day,” puffed Wolstenholme pitchside after the ultimate whistle. Color analyst Walley Barnes – he of the late personal purpose in 1947 – veered awkwardly into shot to agree that “match of the century might be very proper”. Sadly, no person who went to Anfield that day would have been in a position to hear these Cholmondley Warneresque jolly japes. BBC2 had solely been on the air for 4 months, and was solely out there within the London space. An estimated viewers of 20,000 watched historical past being transmitted – lower than half of the day’s 47,620 attendance – and viewers in Liverpool must make do with both The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters, a western on BBC1, or ABC’s western Sugarfoot. At this time’s multi-channel world of wall-to-wall tat abruptly doesn’t appear so oppressive.
Arsenal had been criticised for overcelebrating after a terrific 3-1 victory over Liverpool on the Emirates in February. They usually’ll fortunately do it once more in the event that they win right this moment.
Crew information: Saka begins
Nice information for Arsenal: Bukayo Saka has recovered from his hamstring harm and is of their XI. Jurrien Timber can also be match to return, however Riccardo Calafiori hasn’t made it. In all there are three modifications to the facet that began final weekend’s defeat at Bournemouth. Saka, Timber and Gabriel Martinelli substitute Calafiori, Raheem Sterling and the suspended William Saliba. It appears to be like like Ben White will play at centre-back in Saliba’s absence.
Liverpool make three modifications, one enforced, from the win over Chelsea final weekend. Darwin Nunez covers for the injured Diogo Jota; Luis Diaz and Alexis Mac Allister are most popular to Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Arsenal (attainable 4-2-4) Raya; Partey, White, Gabriel, Timber; Merino, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Trossard, Martinelli.
Substitutes: Neto, Gabriel Jesus, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Sterling, Lewis-Skelly, Nichols, Nwaneri.
Liverpool (4-3-3) Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Substitutes: Jaros, Davies, Gomez, Endo, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Tsimikas, Quansah, Morton.
Referee Anthony Taylor.
Preamble
Hey and welcome to stay protection of Arsenal v Liverpool on the Emirates. As with lots of the greatest video games, earlier than kick-off you can also make a good case for both facet being the favorite. Arsenal are at dwelling, the place they’ve gained 15 of the final 18 video games, however they’re on a downer and might be with out no less than three key gamers. Liverpool are filled with the thrill and have gained all six away matches beneath Arne Slot, however they haven’t actually been examined within the league. Three of their away wins got here towards groups within the backside 4; the opposite was at Previous Trafford.
Whereas Liverpool would like to make a press release of title-winning intent, it seems like a good larger recreation for Arsenal – not must-win a lot as mustn’t-lose. It doesn’t really feel proper {that a} crew with sucn an outstainding Premier League file in 2024 – P26 W21 D3 L2 Pts 66 – needs to be beneath such scrutiny. However that is the life they selected, primarily to expertise days like right this moment. They usually know a defiant win would finish that scrutiny earlier than sunset.
Kick off 4.30pm.
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