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The fourth will meet fifth when Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield for their Premier League matchday 12 fixture on Saturday evening.
The hosts, who currently have a two-point lead over the Gunners, were humbled by West Ham on matchday 11, while Arsenal narrowly overcame Watford.
The Reds were not at their flamboyant best before the international break and were punished by a spirited West Ham side. The Hammers ended Liverpool's 20-game unbeaten run in the Premier League by handing them a 3-2 defeat at the London Stadium.
Arsenal, on the other hand, extended their Premier League unbeaten run to eight games with a narrow 1-0 win over Watford.
The Gunners seem to have turned over a new leaf over the last couple of months and look significantly more coherent. Liverpool’s quality cannot be denied, of course, but they are not the overwhelming favorites for this fixture anymore.
The blockbuster clash on Saturday now seems finely poised.
Here are our top five predictions for Arsenal’s trip to Liverpool on matchday 12 of the English Premier League:
#5 Arsenal to play without a worry in the world against Liverpool
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side are not title contenders. They were not even pegged to finish in the top half of the table when they lost their opening three fixtures. They were an afterthought, a team very few cared about.
Fast forward to November and they look on course for a top-four push. Their eight-game unbeaten run is the best in the Premier League right now and they genuinely possess the potential to build on it.
That being said, this Arsenal team knows how to play without fear. They will know that they are the underdogs against Liverpool and can afford to play without a worry in the world.
This mindset often leads to beautiful, engaging football, and we are hopeful of seeing it at Anfield this Saturday.
#4 Diogo Jota to put on a show against Arsenal
On his day, Liverpool’s Portuguese forward Diogo Jota is one of the most lethal finishers around. He is quick, can make an impact in the blink of an eye, and pops up with impressive goals even on his off days.
Unfortunately, being a Liverpool forward is a lot more than scoring goals.
Jota has been criticized for not being as involved in the game as Roberto Firmino or even Divock Origi. The player disappears when he is not getting the service he demands, which has become a cause for concern for Liverpool.
Against Arsenal, Jota has the opportunity to win his doubters over and we believe he will not disappoint.
#3 Emile Smith Rowe to be a handful for Virgil van Dijk
Arsenal academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe is one of the best players in the Premier League right now. The youngster is coming into the match on the back of his first senior goal for England and will look to extend his goalscoring run at the weekend.
The 21-year-old is an expert at pinging the ball in from the middle of the park, but can also play on the left flank. Having scored thrice in his last three Premier League games, Smith Rowe is the Arsenal player to watch out for.
Liverpool’s towering defender, Virgil van Dijk is likely to have a busy evening at Anfield. Not only will he be tasked with taking care of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but could also come face to face with Emile Smith Rowe.
The youngster is known for his clever defence-piercing passes and quick one-twos. It will be interesting to see how the Liverpool centre-back deals with Smith Rowe.
#2 Mohamed Salah to extend his stellar record against Arsenal
Mohamed Salah is the most in-form forward in the Premier League and arguably in the world too right now. The Egypt international has scored 10 goals in 11 Premier League appearances and will fancy adding to his tally on Saturday.
The former Chelsea winger has always loved playing against Arsenal, even when he was in west London. Salah scored only twice for Chelsea during his short stay at Stamford Bridge, but one of those strikes came against Arsenal in the 2013-14 season.
For Liverpool, Salah has registered six goals and two assists against the Gunners. Incidentally, four of those six goals, alongside the two assists, have come playing at Anfield.
Given Salah’s excellent run of form this season, we would not bet against him extending his tally this weekend.
#1 Liverpool to bag three points against Arsenal
Liverpool were undone by a spirited West Ham United side on matchday 11, which should give Arsenal plenty of hope for Saturday. The Gunners are currently on a 10-game unbeaten run across all competitions and have won their last three Premier League matches.
However, at Anfield, Arsenal have not had favorable results in recent years. Liverpool have beaten the Gunners in their last five meetings on Merseyside, scoring at least thrice in all those matches.
Arsenal could pose a bigger threat to Liverpool’s Anfield record this Saturday, but we do not think it will be enough.
Liverpool, on paper, are a much better side and should bounce back with a win. We predict a 3-2 win for the Anfield boys on matchday 12.
