Liverpool have been told they cannot afford to drop points against Arsenal if they want to remain serious challengers for the Premier League crown this season.
Former Arsenal and England midfielder Paul Merson believes Sunday’s meeting at Anfield could have a major impact on the title race, with the defending champions currently enjoying a six-point advantage over Liverpool.
Arsenal, who share top spot with Manchester City, travel to Merseyside for a 4.30 pm British time kick-off on Sunday, November 1.
Liverpool have shown signs of improvement after registering five consecutive victories, while Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have gone six matches without defeat.
However, the Reds face a difficult task against an opponent they have struggled to beat at Anfield in recent years.
Arsenal’s last Premier League victory at Liverpool’s home ground came in September 2012, when Arteta was still playing for the North London club.
Merson believes Liverpool need maximum points to prevent Arsenal from opening an even bigger gap at the summit.
Liverpool cannot afford another setback
According to Merson, another disappointing result against Arsenal would leave Liverpool with an uphill task in their pursuit of the league leaders.
“You’re then asking Arsenal to lose two football matches without you losing one. And given Liverpool will lose more games this season, you’re then asking Arsenal to lose three or four games for the rest of the season. That’s a lot of games.”
He also believes Liverpool must approach the encounter knowing that avoiding defeat is important for their hopes of securing Champions League qualification.
However, an Arsenal victory could put the champions in a commanding position and make it increasingly difficult for their closest competitors to catch them.
Merson considers the trip to Anfield one of the most demanding assignments on Arsenal’s league calendar.
Other difficult fixtures include their away encounter against Manchester City, a visit to Chelsea when the Blues are in good form, as well as matches against Brighton and Brentford.
He pointed out that Arsenal’s poor record at Anfield also makes the fixture particularly important for Arteta’s men.
“The last time Arsenal won a game at Liverpool in the league was in 2012, I couldn’t believe it when I saw that stat.”
The former midfielder added that Arsenal should at least ensure they leave Merseyside without losing, although a victory would be an outstanding achievement.
Saka’s fitness raises concerns ahead of demanding schedule
Merson has also expressed concern over Bukayo Saka’s injury situation, with Arsenal approaching a particularly challenging period involving domestic and European commitments.
The Gunners have an intense run of fixtures stretching from November into December, which could prove decisive in determining whether they can maintain their challenge for the Premier League title.
Their schedule begins with Sunday’s trip to Liverpool before travelling to the Czech Republic to face Slavia Prague in the Champions League on November 4.
They will then host Hull City on November 7 before travelling to Newcastle United after the international break.
Borussia Dortmund will visit the Emirates Stadium on November 24, followed by a potentially decisive home clash against Manchester City on November 29.
December will bring further tests against Brentford, Tottenham, Real Madrid and Bournemouth.
Merson believes Arsenal’s position in the title race should become clearer by the time they complete their December 13 fixture against Bournemouth.
He warned that Saka’s possible absence could become a significant problem, particularly because of the number of important matches Arsenal have to navigate.
While some observers have questioned the winger’s recent performances, Merson considers his contribution to the team much greater than his individual statistics suggest.
He believes Saka’s ability to make intelligent decisions consistently is one of his biggest strengths.
Madueke and Eze face opportunity to impress
With Saka potentially unavailable, Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze could be handed increased responsibilities in Arsenal’s attacking department.
Merson believes the situation will provide an important examination of their ability to maintain high standards over an extended period.
He explained that making occasional appearances is different from being expected to feature consistently for several weeks.
The former England international, however, suggested that regular playing opportunities could help both players settle into their roles and perform with greater confidence.
Eze, in particular, could benefit from an extended run in the team as Arsenal look for alternative attacking solutions.
Arsenal will also be without young midfielder Max Dowman, who is set to serve a suspension, adding another selection challenge for Arteta.
With Liverpool desperate to close the gap and Arsenal looking to strengthen their position at the top, Sunday’s Anfield encounter promises to be one of the most significant fixtures of the Premier League weekend.
