Mikel Arteta “totally respects and admires” Jurgen Klopp and says there is no lasting animosity between the two as Arsenal prepare to face Liverpool at Anfield.
Arsenal manager Arteta was involved in a fight with Klopp during this respective match last season, which Liverpool won 4-0.
The Gunners have come a long way since that match in November 2021 and enter Sunday’s final game on Merseyside with 29 points better than their rivals.
With Arsenal topping the table and on their way to their first title in 19 years, Arteta sees no reason for himself and his players to lose their cool this time around.
“This is football,” Arteta said of his previous row with Klopp. “After that, we hugged and moved on.
“I have full respect and admiration for what he and the coaching staff have done at Liverpool. We’re moving on.
“I reacted that day to protect our players in the best possible way. But I don’t like seeing myself like this, so hopefully I won’t do it again. We know we have to (keep our composure).”
Arsenal have won seven games in a row, maintaining an eight-point lead over Manchester City, who are on the bench and host the Gunners later this month.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have picked up just one point from their last three games but have won six of their last seven league home matches.
The Reds have not conceded in seven hours and 26 minutes at Anfield, but Klopp admits his side cannot rely on their home form alone to save the season.
Anfield is not the only one we have to rely on, but it’s no secret that the combination of our people, land and guys is pretty good,” he said.
“This is something we should add, but not rely on. I have a very good feeling that we can (beat Arsenal).”
We return to Anfield on Sunday #LIVARS @Vistaprint | @GrantGrunhaupt pic.twitter.com/eB20Jo5q6a
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 6, 2023
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah
Klopp made the surprise decision to make six substitutions ahead of a midweek 0-0 draw against Chelsea, and Salah was among those moved to the bench.
Salah is set to return this weekend and is in top form at Anfield, where he is looking to score in four straight league games for the first time since a six-game streak ended in June 2020.
Arsenal – Leandro Trossard
January rookie Trossard has made a big impact since joining Arsenal from Brighton & Hove Albion, scoring one goal and providing seven assists in 11 appearances for the club.
He scored a hat-trick at Anfield for Brighton in October and could become the first player to score there for two different away teams in the same Premier League season.
MATCH FORECAST – LIVERPOOL WIN
This will be the ninth time Arsenal have faced Liverpool while at the top of the Premier League, with 33 goals scored in the previous eight, averaging over four per game.
Arsenal won the return leg against Liverpool 3-2 in October and are in contention for the Premier League double in this match for the first time since the 2009/10 campaign.
But Liverpool have performed well on home soil and have won their last six league matches against Arsenal at Anfield, scoring at least three times in every game.
WHOLESALE WIN PROBABILITY
Liverpool – 51.0 percent
Arsenal – 22.6 percent
Draw – 26.4 percent