Liverpool vs. Arsenal: Team News, Preview, Live Stream and TV Info
The heat is on Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League, as the Anfield giants welcome the Gunners to Merseyside on Saturday.
The wheels have fallen off manager Jurgen Klopp's title challenge, and Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has also been roundly criticised as his side have stumbled.
Visitors, the Gunners, reside in fourth, just a solitary point ahead of the Reds.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Here is how you can watch the fascinating encounter:
Date: Saturday, March 4
Time: 5:30 p.m. GMT/12:30 p.m. ET
TV: BT Sport 1 (UK only)/NBCSN (U.S. only)
Stream: BT Sport App, NBC Sports Live
Preview
It appeared so promising for Klopp just a few weeks ago as his Liverpool team found the back of the net with ease and precision, but their weakness was clear for everyone to see—a brittle and undisciplined defence.
Klopp did not fully address this issue during the summer, and the Reds have quickly dropped out of contention after being Chelsea's nearest rivals before Christmas.
Arsenal have suffered repetitive problems with their back four over many seasons, and fans have become disillusioned with their lack of bite in the second half of campaigns.
The Gunners were soundly thrashed by Bayern Munich in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 clash, and the focus must now return to a top-four finish in England's top division.
According to Mark Brus of Metro, Arsenal returned to training on Wednesday ahead of the match after a break for the players.
Mesut Ozil is a doubt for the weekend after being sent home from training with an illness, per Goal's Chris Wheatley. Club doctors assessed the German wizard at London Colney, and he now faces a race against the clock to make the trip north. Mohamed Elneny will be unavailable for the match at Anfield due to injury.
Arsenal players have recently undergone "a team bonding session" after their poor performances of late, spending an evening at Bloomsbury Bowling on Tuesday, per Wheatley.
Liverpool's form has evaporated, and former midfielder Didi Hamann believes Klopp's men will miss out on Champions League qualification.
The German told Paddy Power (h/t James Walters of the Daily Star):
"If Liverpool lose to Arsenal, it will be very hard for them to get back in the Champions League race.
Arsenal, on the other hand, still have a chance to qualify even if they get beaten.
Neither side can afford to drop points because if you look at the teams around Liverpool and Arsenal - Chelsea, Tottenham, Man City and even United - the worrying thing is that those clubs seem to be coming into form at the right time.
If you find yourself five or six points behind those teams it’s going to be very hard to make up the difference.
"
Klopp will want more from his team after they folded at Leicester City in the Premier League, where they were devoid of ideas and energy.
"It looked like we hadn't spoken about the strength of Leicester, and that's a real problem," Klopp said, per Jack Wilkinson of Sky Sports. "We have to work, obviously, and to try to do everything better next time."
Klopp hopes to retain the services of versatile midfielder Lucas Leiva in his squad as he offers the loyal player a new deal to stay with his team, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:
"Liverpool are to offer Lucas Leiva a new four year deal.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEkho) March 1, 2017"
The Club will be hopeful this puts an end to Barcelona's interest.
The losing side from this encounter could be usurped in the league if Manchester United continue their unbeaten form.
Neither Arsenal or Liverpool can afford to finish outside of the top four this season, and victory is essential for Wenger and Klopp.
Questions will be asked of the coaches' tenures if performances continue to dip, and both squads will need to dig deep to stay ahead of their opponents.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
