The Gunners have not won a league game at Anfield since Arteta played in a 2-0 win in 2012.
Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool have won the past six league meetings between the sides at home by a combined score of 22-4. But Liverpool are languishing in eighth place in the table, 29 points behind the Gunners, and Arsenal have already ended a long wait to win away at Tottenham this season.
“We have to enjoy it,” Arteta said yesterday. “We really need to embrace the moment and go for it. The team is really full of enthusiasm and positivity and we know we have a big challenge but a big opportunity to go to Anfield and do something we haven’t done for many years. That is what is driving the team in the last few days. We know what we have to do. We’ve played in the toughest places.”
Gabriel Jesus’ double in a 4-1 win over Leeds last week – his first league start since November – has given Arteta options up front. Bukayo Saka is set to return after missing the match due to illness, meaning only two of Jesus and the in-form Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are likely to start.
“It’s much better to have that problem because at the moment they are all looking really good,” added Arteta. “It depends on the moment, what we want to do, the quality we are seeking and the relationships that we want on certain days. Then obviously you can make five changes (during the game), so you have the ability to change the game with those players, which is great for us.”
Klopp calls for Liverpool reaction against Arsenal
Jurgen Klopp says his struggling Liverpool team must show “reaction after reaction” when they face Arsenal. The Reds are 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United and face an uphill task to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Liverpool have taken just one point from their past three games – all away – but have won nine of their 13 league matches at Anfield this season.
“We are at home and still have to show reaction after reaction after reaction – we have to – and improvement,” Klopp. “That’s what we will absolutely try on Sunday.”
A much-changed Liverpool side drew 0-0 at Chelsea in midweek after defeats at Bournemouth and Manchester City. “We have to change, we have to find a basis we can build on,” said Klopp, whose side hammered Manchester United 7-0 in their last home game in early March. “First step: intensity, desire, passion. Good at Chelsea, really, that was good. The rest, not so much. But it’s fine – let’s go from there.”
Klopp, who admitted his team were low on confidence, said the Anfield factor could be crucial. “It’s no secret that the combination of our people and the ground and then the boys is a pretty good combination, so that’s what we have to throw in as well -- but not relying on it,” he said. “We have to push the train. In this moment, I have a very good feeling that we can do that.”
Klopp said Colombia international winger Luis Diaz, out since October with a knee injury, is expected to be available for the match against Leeds on April 17. Midfielder Thiago Alcantara, sidelined for two months with a hip problem, could return against Arsenal, while defender Virgil van Dijk is set to be back after illness forced him to miss the Chelsea game.
Haaland ‘ready’ for Man City return at Southampton
Erling Haaland is fit to return for today’s trip to Southampton, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed. Haaland, who has scored 42 goals this season, missed City’s 4-1 hammering of Liverpool last weekend after pulling out of international duty with Norway due to a groin injury.
His return is a timely boost for City’s quest to win a treble of trophies in the final two months of the season. “He trained the last two days really good,” said Guardiola. “He will be ready.”
City welcome Bayern Munich to the Etihad for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final just three days after their trip to St Mary’s. But Guardiola said he was fully focused on chasing down Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
Southampton are bottom of the table but shocked City when the sides last met, dumping the English champions out of the League Cup. City have only won twice in their past five visits to St Mary’s and Guardiola is expecting another tough test.
Fixtures
Today 1400 GMT unless stated):Manchester United v Everton (1130), Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest,
Brentford v Newcastle, Fulham v West Ham, Leicester v Bournemouth, Tottenham v Brighton, Wolves v Chelsea, Southampton v Manchester City (1630)
Tomorrow: Leeds v Crystal Palace (1300), Liverpool v Arsenal (1530)