3 Things Liverpool Need To Do To Win Against Arsenal

1. SAS need to fire

Liverpool have been over reliant on their premier strike pairing of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. The pair of them have scored 37 of the 58 goals that Liverpool have scored in the Premier League this season, or almost 64% of the goals. They look the most likely source for goals and they will have to fire on all cylinders if Liverpool have to get all three points out of the game.

In the last meeting between the two sides earlier in the season at the Emirates, Arsenal’s defense managed to keep them quiet as they ran to a comfortable 2-0 win. However, SAS will be determined to overturn that disappointing showing against the second meanest defense in the league, and their understanding in the final third will be critical for Liverpool.

2. Control Arsenal’s midfield runs

Arsenal, unlike Liverpool, have been relying on their midfielders to get the goals. Of the 47 goals that they have scored, their strikers have contributed only 15 (Giroud 10, Podolski 3, Bendtner 2), while the midfielders have all chipped in with a combined total of 29 goals. Most of the goals have come from the late runs that Arsenal’s midfielders make into the box.

Liverpool’s midfielders will have to be extra careful all game in order to ensure that no Arsenal midfielder is allowed a free run into the box. They will have first-hand experience of this from their earlier encounter when midfielders Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey netted one goal each to sink the Reds. Liverpool managed to put in a great performance of shielding their back four in the game against Everton, and they will need a repeat of that performance if they are to take anything away from this game.

3. Make no defensive errors

It is sad to say, but Liverpool lead the league in terms of defensive errors that they have committed. The have committed 28 defensive errors so far this season, of which 6 have led to a goal. Averaging more than one error per game, Liverpool will have to be on their toes, as any error is likely to be punished severely by Arsenal.

Even in their last game against West Brom, Liverpool gifted the Baggies the equalizer when Kolo Toure passed the ball straight to Victor Anichebe just outside the penalty box. With Arsenal pressing high up the pitch, Liverpool’s strategy of passing out from the back may backfire and Liverpool will need to be careful not to concede a silly goal in such a big game.