Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Liverpool cannot compete with Arsenal if they try to match Arsene Wenger’s possession-based game-plan.
The Premier League leaders go to Anfield tonight as they continue their pursuit of claiming a first Premier League title for 12 years. However, Klopp has suggested that Liverpool will have to adopt a more defensive approach, as they did in their impressive 1-0 away win over Stoke City in the Capital One Cup semi-final last week to claim all three points.
Fantasy football game www.oulala.com have analysed both sides and have revealed some underlying stats that suggest if Liverpool are to beat Arsenal, the midfield battle will be crucial.
Oulala’s stats shows that Reds midfield pairing of Lucas Leiva and Emre Can have outperformed Arsenal duo Mathieu Flamini and Aaron Ramsey in a host of key areas this season.
On a per game basis, Lucas and Can boast more tackles won (5.6 to 3), more duels won (6.2 to 4.2) and more successful forward passes (76 to 65).
Furthermore, the Liverpool duo also come out on top for overall tackle success rate (49 to 33%), duel success rate (56 to 50%) and take-on success rate (66 to 63%).
It appears Arsenal are undoubtedly missing the injured Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla from the heart of their midfield. With both out with respective knee injuries and unlikely to return until March, Klopp will look to Lucas and Can to provide the steel that Liverpool will need to overcome the Gunners this evening.
Stats are for twats! Would u swap the Liverpool pair for Ramsey if u were Klopp? 100% he would Aaron is a class act and will dominate that average pair tonight. Flam is there to break up play and give it to Rambo. We outclass them in every position just need to combat the long ball Liverpool play every season.
It will be tough,the better side will cary the night.