Match Preview: Liverpool v Arsenal

Sunday, December 21, 2014
Anfield
Kick-off: 9.30 pm Sri Lanka

Three FA Cup finals, a League Cup final, a Champions League quarter-final and that dramatic title decider in 1989 - there's almost always been something 'up for grabs now' when the mighty footballing institutions Liverpool and Arsenal meet.

But now, the weighty importance, the shimmer of promised silverware, the sense of greatness that has been part and parcel of this fixture on so many occasions since they first met 121 years ago is sadly lacking.

Like two much-diminished old actors trying to reprise a role that once had audiences enraptured and made them household names, they'll enter the stage wishing the world still hung on their every line.

Brendan Rodgers finally found respite – and an effective formation – at Bournemouth but back in the Premier League it is a case of two managers needing to convince at Anfield. Arsène Wenger will shudder at the memory of his last visit, February’s 5-1 humiliation that holed his then Premier League leaders’ title credentials and reinforced Liverpool’s own in the process. Arsenal must also improve on their last away league display at Stoke City to avoid any nasty confrontations at Lime Street Station afterwards. 

Liverpool are awaiting a late assessment on defender Dejan Lovren's groin injury ahead of Sunday's visit of Arsenal.

The centre-back was forced off during Wednesday's Capital One Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth and should he not be fit manager Brendan Rodgers can recall Mamadou Sakho or revert to a flat-back four.

Midfielder Joe Allen missed the trip the south coast but could return to the squad but striker Mario Balotelli is suspended.

Arsenal's Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (both groin) and Nacho Monreal (ankle) face fitness tests to determine if they can play in Sunday's Premier League clash at Anfield.

Manager Arsene Wenger fears midfielder Aaron Ramsey will miss the hectic festive fixture schedule with his hamstring problem, but has Calum Chambers back from suspension.

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.

MATCH FACTS

• Liverpool won this fixture 5-1 last season thanks to two goals each from Martin Skrtel and Raheem Sterling and one from Luis Suarez. Four of those goals came in the first 20 minutes.

• That was only Liverpool's second win over Arsenal in their last 14 Premier League meetings.

• Arsenal won the other two matches they played against Liverpool last season - 2-0 in the league and 2-1 in the FA Cup fifth round, both at the Emirates.

• Liverpool v Arsenal has seen more hat-tricks (five) than any other fixture in Premier League history.

• There have been four 90th minute or later goals in the last six league meetings between the sides at Anfield.

• Liverpool's midweek win over Bournemouth was only their third in their last 11 games in all competitions.

• The Reds have failed to score in five league games this season, two more than in the whole of last season.

• Based on three points for a win, Liverpool's tally of 21 points is their lowest after 16 games since 1964-65.

• Mario Balotelli has had more shots (42 - including blocked) than any other player yet to score in the top flight this season.

• After drawing five of their first eight league games, Arsenal have drawn none of their subsequent eight (W5 L3).

• They have only lost one of their last six matches in all competitions.

• The Gunners have only failed to score in one league game this season.

• Alexis Sanchez has scored (seven) or assisted (four) 11 of Arsenal's last 17 league goals (65%).