Alan Shearer has offered up his prediction for how he believes Liverpool’s clash against Premier League title rivals Arsenal will pan out on Sunday.
The Reds travel to the Emirates to face a much weakened Arsenal side knowing a win will move them seven points clear of Mikel Arteta’s side at the top of the table. The Gunners will be without William Saliba on Sunday, who is suspended after being sent off last weekend against Bournemouth.
They are also without skipper Martin Odegaard, as well as potentially Bukayo Saka, whose fitness Arsenal are sweating over. With Saliba out, Arsenal would have possibly named one of Jurrien Timber, or Riccardo Calafiori at center-back to partner Gabriel. However, they also look set to miss the clash against the Reds too.
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But despite the injuries and the suspension to Saliba, Shearer reckons the game between the two Premier League title contenders will end in a score draw at the Emirates. Shearer told Betfair: “We have a huge game on Sunday at the Emirates, and If Liverpool were to win and increase their gap to seven points over Arsenal, that would be huge after nine games.
“I was on commentary in the Champions League on Tuesday, and it was a good atmosphere at the Emirates. When Arsenal didn’t score in the first 15 minutes, they stayed patient, the fans were patient, and it was massively important to get that result because they needed to bounce back.
“When you have a tough result at the weekend, you’re desperate to get a game three days later because you need to rectify things, which Arsenal ultimately did. We said last week that Liverpool will face a huge test in Chelsea and they’re about to face an even bigger test in Arsenal, away from home, which makes it even more difficult.
“However, whatever tests they’ve had already this season they’ve passed, and don’t be surprised if they pass this one too. I’d be shocked if Curtis Jones wasn’t the first name on the team sheet. It would be difficult to understand if you put in the performance like he did last week, get man of the match and the winner, to be then left out the following week. I’d be amazed if he wasn’t in the XI. I’m going to sit on the fence here though and say it’ll be a score draw in a fantastic game at the Emirates.
