Liverpool vs. Arsenal: Premier League betting odds, preview, and pick

The return of the Premier League after the international break features one of the top flight's most exciting fixtures. Arsenal travel to Anfield to play Liverpool in a fixture that has thrown up some thrillers in recent years.

These teams played out a 5-5 thriller in the League Cup two seasons ago, and the year before that Liverpool came from 1-0 down to beat the Gunners 5-1 in one of the most thrilling league games of the year. Now with just two points separating the teams we get to revisit a classic rivalry on Merseyside.

Liverpool lacking focus

Jurgen Klopp’s men are only four points off the top of the table, but fans will be regretting the missed opportunities after watching their team win just two of their last six league games. That run has resulted in nine dropped points, but more concerning for the Reds is how those points gave been dropped.

Liverpool have thrown away leads against Brentford, Manchester City, and Brighton during those six games, and although scoring goals hasn’t been a problem, keeping them out absolutely is. They’ve scored 31 goals in 11 games this year, and are the only side in the top flight who have scored in every single league game so far.

But in recent games, defensive woes have been rife. They conceded three against West Ham, two against Brighton, two against Manchester City, and three against Brentford. Individual errors and a lack of focus has resulted in leads slipping.

The international break may have come at the perfect time for Liverpool to reset and get prepared for Arsenal. Liverpool haven’t lost at home this season, scoring 15 times in seven games, and haven’t lost to the Gunners at Anfield since September 2012.

Mikel’s magic turnaround

Arsenal have gone from the laughing-stock of the league to just two points behind Liverpool in one of the greatest turnaround stories of the year. After three games as we went into the international break at the start of September, Arsenal had lost all three, had not scored a single goal, and had conceded nine.

But now coming out of this international break, they are unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions – winning eight and drawing two. They’ve kept clean sheets in 70% of those matches and have climbed to within six points of the top of the league.

Mikel Arteta has somehow revitalized the Gunners with young English duo Emile Smith Rowe and Aaron Ramsdale putting in some superb performances. Smith Rowe has four goals in his last six league games, while Ramsdale has saved 86.2% of all shots he’s faced – Edouard Mendy at Chelsea is the only keeper with a better record this season.

Arsenal have only won one of the last 15 head-to-heads with Liverpool, so Arteta will need to buck that trend if he is to keep the Gunners’ winning run going.

Liverpool and Arsenal Betting Trends

• Liverpool are 7-1-6 against Arsenal in their last 15 games
• Over 2.5 goals has won in 13 of the last 15 games between Liverpool and Arsenal
• Both teams have scored in 12 of the last 15 league games between Liverpool and Arsenal
• Liverpool have scored in their last 24 matches in a row
• Both teams have scored in just 27% of Arsenal’s league games this season
• 82% of Liverpool’s league games this season have featured Over 2.5 goals

Back a thriller to end all square

Liverpool have dominated this fixture in recent years, with Arsenal winning just one of the last 15 meetings. Usually that would point towards a straightforward result for Jurgen Klopp’s men, but their recent dip in form has suddenly thrown all manner of questions into the mix.

Alisson made several errors against West Ham and will be put under pressure again from an in-form Arsenal side that have scored in nine of their last 10 games. Liverpool are clearly not short of any fire power and that could lead to plenty of goals for the Anfield crowd to enjoy.

Over 2.5 goals is a regular occurrence in this encounter, and it would be no surprise to see it happen again. Mo Salah is in unstoppable form and Emile Smith Rowe on the other side can continue his fine run in front of goal.

Score prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal (+1300)

Liverpool vs. Arsenal pick: Over 2.5 goals (-195)

Same Game Combo: Draw with goals, Mo Salah to score, Emile Smith Rowe to score (+3400)