Liverpool told of ‘questionable’ Arsenal weakness as Jurgen Klopp gets tactics warning
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been told how he can overcome an impressive Arsenal side this weekend.
It is recommended that Liverpool exploit David Raya’s positional vulnerability in their crucial encounter at Anfield on Saturday. If they can silence Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, former Reds goalkeeper David James believes his old team will prevail.
Arsenal head to Merseyside having not won a Premier League match at the home of their opponents since 2012. Both sides know victory will ensure they are top of the table at Christmas.
David Raya has nailed down the No 1 spot at Arsenal, certainly in the eyes of Mikel Arteta, starting 12 of the Gunners’ last 13 league matches. But the Spaniard has come under strong criticism since he replaced Aaron Ramsdale.
James has joined the naysayers by pointing out what he thinks is a major flaw in Raya’s game. He believes the likes of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold can catch the 28-year-old out of position to win their side Saturday’s clash.
James told instantcasino.com: “Arsenal have got a goalkeeper in David Raya who, from what I’ve seen, isn’t fully confident. If he’s not confident, then the Arsenal defence won’t be confident.
“His positioning is definitely questionable from my perspective, and if I’m Liverpool I’d be shooting from silly positions. With Raya’s positioning, there’s the opportunity to score from places that you normally would not, and with the ability of Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, they can definitely nick a 1-0 win.
”Unfortunately for Aaron Ramsdale, he’s had three or four games in the past couple of months. This is the tough thing about being the number two goalkeeper – you’re looking at your manager thinking, ‘I know you don’t fancy me’, and you have to take on a different role in the squad.”
Arsenal have lost just two Premier League games this season and could be top at Christmas for a second successive year. James believes Jurgen Klopp must get his tactics right in midfield in order to suppress the threat of Odegaard.
He added: “The key for Liverpool winning is keeping Martin Odegaard quiet. He’s such a wonderful player to watch – he takes up brilliant positions and makes defenders and midfielders question where they’re supposed to be.
“When top sides like City last season kept him quiet, it prevented Arsenal from playing properly and going through the gears. It doesn’t necessarily make for the most attractive of matches, but I don’t think Liverpool need to be pleasing people with aesthetics at the moment.
“A scrappy, horrible 1-0 win is all they would need.”
READ NEXT:
Liverpool transfer news as January bid ‘ready to be accepted’ and ‘$82m’ man back on radar
Liverpool transfer news: A January bid from the Reds is ‘ready to be accepted’ as Jürgen Klopp looks at bolstering the defense, while an old midfield link is back.
Liverpool has enjoyed a broadly successful Christmas period so far. The goalless draw against Manchester United was an unpleasant hiccup, but the Reds produced an emphatic 5-1 victory against West Ham United on Wednesday night to ensure hope of a four-trophy haul will continue into the new year.
The Reds have now progressed into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup following the win at Anfield, thanks to goals from Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai. Jürgen Klopp and his side will now have to shift focus back on to Premier League action, as they face a quick turnaround before their upcoming test against Arsenal on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta’s side currently sits at the top of the standings after 17 games, with just one point separating it and Liverpool in second. A win for Klopp’s men would all but ensure a place at the top of the tree on December 25, barring a massive goal difference turnaround from Aston Villa (albeit one that is not necessarily impossible against Sheffield United).
READ MORE: Pep Lijnders and Steven Gerrard agree on $101m ‘target’ as Liverpool linked with playmaker again
READ MORE: Liverpool should hijack Spurs transfer ‘talks’ as Manchester United could sell eight players
Liverpool was unable to secure a win against The Gunners last time the two sides met at Anfield. Goals from Salah and Roberto Firmino rescued a point after Klopp’s men had fallen two-nil behind in the first half. But the team has changed pretty substantially since then.
There will be no new additions before that clash, but January is nonetheless on the horizon, begging the question of whether Klopp will stick or twist. With games against Arsenal, Burnley and Newcastle United all approaching, here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.
Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan)
According to Fichajes, Liverpool has joined Chelsea in the race to sign Italian international Nicolò Barella from Inter Milan. The 26-year-old has been one of the stand-out performers in Serie A over the last few seasons and was a key reason Inter were able to reach the Champions League final in the 2022/23 campaign.
However, any interested clubs will likely face strong resistance from Simone Inzaghi’s side. Inter is currently sitting at the top of Serie A, and it is trying to tie Barella down to a new long-term deal at the San Siro.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United have all been credited with an interest in the player, who is currently valued at around $82m (£65m/€75m) by Transfermarkt.
Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP)
According to AS, Portuguese giants Sporting Club de Portugal are ready to accept an initial bid in the region of $49m (£39m/€45m) from Liverpool for defender Gonçalo Inácio in January. The Reds have been heavily linked with reinforcements across the defense, with Inácio’s name being repeatedly linked with a move to Anfield since the summer transfer window.
However, it had previously been claimed that Liverpool was unwilling to meet the asking price of $65m (£51m/€59m) for the player, so Jürgen Klopp’s side are looking to work around the initial asking price. Liverpool could now offer $49m to secure the signing of the Portuguese defender in January, with an additional $16m being achieved through add-ons in the future.
Liverpool.com says: Recruiting within defense should be a priority for Liverpool, especially when considering the long-term injury to Joël Matip and how injury-prone the likes of Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konaté are. Inácio would offer strong depth within the squad, as well as a high ceiling. He is someone who can come in a contribute instantly, as well as grow and develop over time.
Leave a Reply