Arne Slot faces his biggest test yet as Liverpool manager on Sunday afternoon when his side travels to Arsenal for a thrilling Premier League showdown.
Both Liverpool and Arsenal are eager to dethrone Manchester City by the end of the season, and the outcome of this weekend’s encounter could play a major role in shaping the early stages of the title race.
Liverpool currently hold a four-point lead over Arsenal after eight matches and can stretch that to seven with a victory at the Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Gunners, looking to rebound after last weekend’s unexpected loss to Bournemouth, will be missing some key players.
William Saliba is suspended and Martin Odegaard is sidelined with an injury.
Liverpool come into this game on a high, following their midweek Champions League win over RB Leipzig, which marks their tenth victory in 11 matches under Slot.
Seven of those victories have come in the Premier League, with last weekend’s 2-1 win over Chelsea standing out as the most significant in Slot’s tenure so far.
Speaking ahead of the game, Slot said: “We all know that taking points from your competitor [is important].
“And nobody knows in this early stage who is going to be your competitor or your biggest competitor, but I think we all know that Arsenal will be one of them and then dropping points against them or winning points against them, that is always important.
“So, you’re right, I think it was three draws and one loss [against Arsenal and Manchester City] last season so if you use simple mathematics, if Liverpool could have won all three of them I think the league table would have been a bit different.
“It’s difficult to win an away leg against Arsenal, City or all the other ones but it’s something we are trying on Sunday definitely.
Liverpool: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez
Subs: Jaros, Davies, Gomez, Endo, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Tsimikas, Quansah, Morton
Arsenal: Raya, Partey, White, Gabriel, Timber, Rice, Merino, Trossard, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz.
Subs: Neto, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Nichols, Myles-Skelly, Jorginho, Nwaneri, Sterling, Jesus.
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