Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing defeat at Old Trafford when they host Arsenal on Super Sunday. Liverpool v Arsenal December 21, 2014 3:30pm Sky Sports 1 HD Team news Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin), Nacho Monreal (ankle) and long-term absentee Theo Walcott (groin) face fitness tests, while Wenger fears midfielder Aaron Ramsey will miss the hectic festive fixture schedule with his hamstring problem, but Calum Chambers is back from suspension. Arsene Wenger is unsure if Walcott will be ready for Sundays game Laurent Koscielny (calf), Mikel Arteta (calf), Mesut Ozil (knee), David Ospina (thigh), Abou Diaby (calf), Jack Wilshere (ankle), Tomas Rosicky (thigh) and Serge Gnabry (knee) are all still out for the visitors. Brendan Rodgers’ men slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Manchester United just days after crashing out of the Champions League, and the Reds boss is coming under increased scrutiny amid rumours of discord in the squad. Liverpool’s record against the Gunners won’t make good pre-match reading for Rodgers either, with the Merseysiders winning just two of their last 14 Premier League meetings. One of those two, however, came this February and saw the Reds hammer Arsene Wengers side 5-1 after firing in four goals in the opening 20 minutes. Rodgers will undoubtedly be using that result as motivation for his side. Arsenal, meanwhile, have been suffering with an inconsistent spell of their own, but since losing 3-2 at Stoke they have registered back-to-back 4-1 wins over Galatasaray and Newcastle and have put themselves right back in the top-four mix. Rodgers could have Dejan Lovren (groin) available if the defender passes a late fitness test, while Joe Allen may return to the squad after missing the trip to Bournemouth, but Mario Balotelli is suspended for Sunday’s encounter after receiving a one-match ban for a recent post on social media. Glen Johnson (groin) is set to be out until the middle of January, as is striker Daniel Sturridge, who flew out to Boston this week to aid his recovery from a thigh injury. Brendan Rodgers admits he missed out on Alexis Sanchez There have been four 90th-minute-or-later goals in the last six top-flight meetings between Liverpool and Arsenal at Anfield. Liverpool v Arsenal has seen more hat-tricks than any other fixture in Premier League history (5). Arsenal have trailed in six of the last seven Premier League games against Liverpool at Anfield and come back to win two and draw three of those six. Mario Balotelli has had more shots (42 – inc blocked) than any other player yet to score in the Premier League this season. Alexis Sanchez has scored (7) or assisted (4) 11 of Arsenal’s last 17 Premier League goals (65 per cent). Merson’s prediction Raheem Sterling netted a double as Liverpool earned a 3-1 win against a spirited Bournemouth side “After a difficult few weeks Liverpool had a good win at Bournemouth and showed glimpses of their former selves. But they’re not the team they were and Arsenal have Sanchez so both teams won’t be able to cope with each other defensively. I’m going for a thrilling Desmond with lots of action on the cards.”
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 22:02:24 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015