Liverpool will definitely feel a huge burden lifted from their shoulders as they saw off Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim 6-3 on aggregate to qualify for the Champions League group stages. However, the mid-week fixtures that have been running over the past two weeks have also left a large window for fatigue in the squad.
And their next opponents, Arsenal, in all probability, would look at this as an opportunity to exploit when they visit Anfield this weekend. The Gunners come on the back of a shocking loss against Stoke City away from home that has drawn vile criticism from fans and critics alike for the manager, and the 67-year-old will be under huge pressure to perform before the league breaks for the interlull.
Predicted 4-3-3 Liverpool Line-up vs Arsenal
Defence
Simon Mignolet will continue to start under the bar. The Belgian has been a continuous presence since the start of the season and manager Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to rest him against Arsenal at any cost. The 29-year-old shot-stopper has been quite assuring this season, for a change, that has kept Loris Karius down the pecking order.
Klopp is expected to start with Andrew Robertson and Joe Gomez as it was Alberto Moreno and Trent Arnold starting in those positions on Wednesday. The young duo would have to cope with the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in the wide areas and the manager would hope things go his way as was the case last season.
The central defence should be taken by Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan. The Egyptian international has been one of the most regular faces for the Reds this season with Dejan Lovren and Klavan rotating. And with the Croatian starting against Hoffenheim in the midweek, we expect Klavan to start this time. Alexandre Lacazette is a tough man to mark and they will surely be wary of it.
Midfield
The three-man midfield is expected to be James Milner, Georginio Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson. With Adam Lallana out with a thigh injury and expected to be back in October, Klopp is really short of options in his midfield where he has just one player to leave out. And Emre Can could be that player this game, given Milner’s disciplined displays and Wijnaldum’s work rate making them irreplaceable at the moment.
Attack
The attack isn’t likely to change for sure. Liverpool have a proven attack in Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. While fatigue will be a factor given all past games between them has been of high intensity, Klopp would hope this side gets the job against Arsenal.
