It’s October 1st and Bill Murray has just stepped in a puddle outside Anfield…
Given that we’ve just witnessed this very much on Monday, you might be thinking that we can expect the same result, but in reality, that’s just not the case.
Jurgen Klopp has a steely determination in his expression that he craves back-to-back titles and you can bet your life he isn’t shy about dropping his participation in the Carabao Cup to get there.
Arsenal? Well, they’re cup specialists and while I think Arteta can easily rely on a combination of fringe players and quality academy graduates, there’s a real sense that they’ll be more likely to come away with a result here.
That’s not to say the Gunners are slacking in the league; there has been more positives than negatives, but perhaps the squad depth is there for Arsenal, and the actual level of attention they’re willing to pay to secondary competitions is higher than their counterparts.
Here’s your three best bets.
Arsenal to Qualify
I’m certainly not saying that Arsenal will stroll into Anfield, stick six past Liverpool and walk out in 90 minutes. Nothing of the sort.
But as the game goes on, which club will want it more? Arteta would be more prone to risk starters because he’s still at a point in his management career where beating Liverpool at Anfield in any competition is a marquee victory.
If Liverpool go a goal down, I’m sure they’ll muster some form of response, but it’ll lack intensity – and intensity is nine-tenths of the law with this Liverpool team. If they don’t have it, they look like Spurs. And nobody wants to look like Spurs.
Eddie Nketiah to Score Anytime
I always think Nketiah is the unlucky one in this Arsenal squad. You saw his Premier League quality at Leeds and there are even sometimes when you’re wondering just what he has to do to get a meaningful run in that team.
But it’s in games like this where he’s up against other team’s second sides where you really think he could benefit from a move, especially given the money and future financial commitments Arsenal have made to their front three.
Regardless of where he plays, Nketiah is going to get the ball and score in this game because it’s very much his platform to show he’s better than the inconsistent nature exhibited by some of the more prominent players he’s alongside.
Over 3.5 Goals
Neither side defend in the league. Both sides go absolutely all-out, and this has even less ramifications than if it went wrong on a Saturday.
There’s not an obvious reason why we even watch these games, but it’s because your subconscious knows there’s going to be drama – and where drama goes, goals generally follow.
Liverpool v Arsenal betting tips
Arsenal to Qualify
Eddie Nketiah to Score Anytime
Over 3.5 Goals
Read More
- Will it be Turkish delight for Rangers v Galatasaray? Our SGM for Thursday’s Euro clash
- 3 for glee as Tottenham host Maccabi Tel Aviv
- Can Dundalk do it? Our tipping preview of final Europa League qualifier
- Our 10/1 Same Game Multi as Celtic tackle FK Sarajevo