Jurgen klopp would have wished for such a dilemma. After a 0-0 draw against manchester united, having previously won against crystal palace and sheffield united, questions about liverpool’s diminishing attacking ability began to surface. For all of their firepower in the final third that has been lauded, their performances have deteriorated markedly. Mo salah was the only recognized senior forward on the scoresheet in the reds’ last five games due to the goalless draw against united. Liverpool was unable to break erik ten hag’s side despite having 34 goals on target. Clear-cut opportunities were at a premium, and the premier league lead was shattered. In their top-of-the-table match against arsenal on saturday, the reds will certainly need more guile, craft, and vigilance. In may, the result could have a major effect on which club hoists the silverware aloft.
The gunners may have had extra time off to prepare, but klopp would have been gratified that liverpool were back in action midweek, perhaps on a rare occasion. In what was a barnstorming display from the first to the last whistle, west ham united beat them 5-1 in the carabao cup quarterfinals. Each player who came into the starting lineup made a difference. Curtis jones fired a double in what was possibly his reds career’s best performance. In what was a scintillating 90 minutes, harvey elliott also caught the eye. Dominik szoboszlai also returned to form. Since his arrival, rb leipzig’s £60 million summer contract was outstanding, making a big difference, but his lofty ambitions were shattered. But after opening the scoring against west ham with a fizzing effort, szoboszlai’s former cast-iron form could be restored. Klopp has a selection to make against arsenal, though he won’t mind doing so. Given jones’s ability and injuries, he is likely to maintain his place in the standings. And liverpool manager ed miliband may want to find a way to keep elliott in his lineup. Given that mikel arteta’s troops fought in a right-wing role against west ham, it isn’t exactly an option. Mo salah will take up his usual responsibilities. In his career, the egyptian, who came off the bench to score in the hammers victory, has scored nine goals against arsenal.
Elliott is a versatile player on the right-hand side of the reds’ midfield, playing in the number-eight position. Szoboszlai has taken up this position for the vast majority of his time on merseyside. It could therefore be difficult to bring all three players into klopp’s squad. However, there is the possibility of deploying szoboszlai in a left-wing capacity. Per transfermrkt, the hungary international is renowned for his versatility and has played in the position a total of 27 times in his career. For the reds, he has been stationed there on two occasions. The first victory was in the 2-1 carabao cup fourth round victory over bournemouth. Liverpool ended the game on the flanks with a 2-0 victory, just before the end of liverpool’s trip to sheffield united earlier this month. If szoboszlai is used on the left, luis diaz would be forced to drop to the bench. In his previous six premier league outings, the colombia international has failed to score or an assist and is currently not at the top of his game.
A strategy that could be attractive is to use diaz from the bench as an impact substitute if the game gets too hot and arsenal’s defense tires. Whoever klopp chooses against arsenal will be scrutinized in the end. However, every manager adores the german.
