Liverpool host Arsenal in the late kick-off on Saturday in one of the most important fixtures of the Premier League season so far.
Separated by only a point in the table – although the Gunners do have a game in hand – a top four finish is the best outcome either side can hope for come May.
Jurgen Klopp’s men had what can only be described as an awful start to the year, failing to win throughout January, and things haven’t got much better since. While results looked to be taking a slight turn for the better, Reds fans were left disappointed again in their most recent fixture, where they were swept aside by struggling Leicester 3-1 at the King Power Stadium.
2017 has been a mixed bag for Arsene Wenger’s men, too. Some good results against some of the lower teams in the league, such as Crystal Palace, Hull and Burnley, have been dampened by hammering’s at the hands of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Watford (2-1 is hardly a hammering but it runs nicely off the tongue).
The result of this weekend’s fixture could determine who occupies the last space in the top four, but who will come out on top?
Here are three key battles to keep an eye on ahead of the clash on Saturday afternoon…
Sadio Mane vs. Nacho Monreal
Liverpool were a free scoring side before the turn of the year, but have struggled to emulate that style of football in 2017. Part of the reason they have struggled so much was the absence of this man – Sadio Mane. The Senegal international was terrific in the surprise 2-0 victory over Tottenham just over a week ago, and could prove to be the key man going forward for the Reds again this weekend.
While he is a bit of a free-mover so to say, the former Southampton man usually occupies the right hand wing, meaning Nacho Monreal will have the unfortunate task of having to mark him throughout the 90 minutes.
The Spaniard will need to be at his best in order to keep out Mane.
Granit Xhaka vs. Georginio Wijnaldum
Two of the most underrated stars in each of the two sides this season. While Granit Xhaka has been subject to heavy criticism this season for his questionable disciplinary record, it is easy to bypass the fact he has been the lynchpin in the Gunners midfield throughout the season. Arsenal look a different side without him.
The same applies to Georginio Wijnaldum, who is too often criticised for his lack of goals and assists, but it is the little things that the tricky Dutchman does through the centre of the park that makes him one of Liverpool’s most important assets.
The two, while unlikely to be the deciding scorers in the game, will produce an interesting battle in the middle of the park.
Alexis Sanchez vs. Nathaniel Clyne
Where would Arsenal really be without Alexis Sanchez this season? It is a question Gunners fans won’t want to even consider thinking about, let alone answering.
The Chilean has once again been superb (for the most part, anyway) for Arsene Wenger’s side, scoring 21 goals and providing a further 11 assists. Will he leave in the summer? Who knows. But one thing is for certain is that the former Barcelona star will be pivotal in this weekend’s fixture.
Nathaniel Clyne will be the man tasked with keeping him quiet, which is no small feat, but if any right back in the league is capable of keeping up with Sanchez it is Clyne, whose pace and defensive know-how makes him a nightmare for attackers.
