Arsenal’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang takes his shirt off to give to a fan at the end of the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on December 26, 2018. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) /
Yet with lots of football still to be played, there is no doubt that there will be some more bumps along the way.
As for the Gunners, they are two points off the top four with a chasing and rejuvenated Manchester United six points behind them.
After a blip away at Brighton on Boxing Day, Emery will be looking for his side to recover against the league leaders at Anfield.
The earlier meeting between these two sides had disallowed goals and some incorrect decisions but the final score was 1-1 with Milner’s strike being cancelled out with a late equaliser from Lacazette in a fairly even game.
Both sides here have all to play for and both managers will not want to lose this one with the momentum the sides are carrying.
Liverpool are still unbeaten at this stage and you wouldn’t bet against them at the moment but it is not a guaranteed win at all for the Reds.
With games still coming thick and fast, the pressure is on the sides to keep up their performances and continue picking up points.
The fact that tiredness starts to set in with very little rest time between games, it is hard to predict who starts, how teams will perform and more importantly what the result will be.
This is the 227th meeting between these two sides, Liverpool have won 86, Arsenal 79 and there have been 61 draws in all competitions.
Liverpool are on a seven-game unbeaten run against Arsenal at the moment, winning three and drawing four.
Arsenal are also without a win in five trips to Anfield and have conceded two or more in each match and 17 in total.
Klopp almost has a full side to pick from, however; Milner’s fitness will be assessed after he missed the Boxing Day win against Newcastle with a hamstring injury.
Gomez and Matip are still out and look a few weeks away from returning to full training with a fractured leg and a broken collarbone respectively.
Emery has major problems in defence with Holding and Bellerin out until the new year as well as Mustafi, Koscielny and Monreal, who are also carrying knocks and are doubtful.
Further up the field, Mkhitaryan is out with a foot injury along with Welbeck who is a long-term absentee at this stage.
