Liverpool vs Arsenal tips and predictions: Champions to return to winning ways?

Liverpool state of play

Arne Slot rotated his team for the trip to Chelsea last week and the Reds could not take anything from West London as the hosts earned a valuable three points.

Liverpool will receive three more guards of honour before the season concludes, and the one they get on Sunday will taste particularly sweet, as it will be performed by the side who have been their biggest threat throughout this campaign.

Love football? Find the best football betting sites and bet with welcome bonuses today.

A positive showing this weekend would cheer Reds fans up after Trent Alexander-Arnold announced that he would leave the club at the end of the campaign, paving the way for a likely switch to Real Madrid.

Arsenal state of play

“I think so, yeah,” said Mikel Arteta when asked if the best team lost the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal lost both legs of the tie but had their chances at the Parc des Princes. They forced several smart saves out of Gianluigi Donnarumma and went very close through Bukayo Saka 10 minutes from time, with the aggregate score at 3-1.

Europe has been the priority for the Gunners since they reached the quarter-finals, but they have a job to finish domestically now. The gap between themselves and third-place Manchester City is just three points, while Newcastle United and Chelsea are a further point behind.

Key talking point: Reds keen to assert dominance

Liverpool can be forgiven for not being at full throttle in their defeat at Stamford Bridge last time out. Supporters, however, may be less understanding if they don’t get a result against Arsenal at home.

Read: Premier League betting tips: Matchweek 36

Slot’s men will have had a full week’s rest, while the Gunners poured everything into their clash with PSG in midweek and will still be feeling the pain from their European exit.

Expect the Reds to look to put their opponents in their place and pile more Anfield misery on Arsenal, who have not beaten Liverpool away from home in the league since 2012.

FIRST’s top tip for Liverpool vs Arsenal

Averaging 6.12 shots on target per Premier League home game this term, Liverpool have tested the goalkeeper more than their opponents in all but one of their Anfield fixtures.

Arsenal average four shots on target in away games and have come off second best in that stat seven times on the road. 

A point would be decent for the Gunners, while the Reds will surely push for all three.

Liverpool to have the most shots on target at Evens (Betway).

Extra tips

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister received a rare rest for the Chelsea fixture, but should be restored to the starting XI here. He has scored twice in his last four starts from five shots on target, having netted twice in February too.

Alexis Mac Allister shot on target at 49/20 (BetMGM).

Diogo Jota struggled up front at Chelsea and will probably sit out against Arsenal. Luis Diaz should get the nod up front, getting the chance to add to his recent five goals in seven appearances for club and country.

Luis Diaz anytime goalscorer at 3/1 (BetMGM).

Team news

Joe Gomez may be able to feature for Liverpool before the end of the season, having undergone surgery on a hamstring injury in February. Still, Sunday will come too soon for the defender.

The Reds have an otherwise clean bill of health for the visit of the Gunners.

Arsenal remain without Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes. They do have Riccardo Calafiori back, though. The Italian came off the bench in Paris on Wednesday night and might get the nod from the start this weekend.

Liverpool vs Arsenal predicted line-ups

Liverpool: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz (4-2-3-1)

Arsenal: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Calafiori; Rice, Merino, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Trossard (4-3-3)

Form guide (all competitions)

Liverpool: WWLLWLWWWL

Arsenal: WDWDWWDLLL

Odds correct at the time of writing.