Best bets & EPL bookie specials for Liverpool vs. Arsenal

LIVERPOOL marched into the UEFA Champions League group stage on Wednesday night with an emphatic 4-2 qualifying victory over Hoffenheim.

On that performance alone, one could be forgiven for thinking the Reds might have shown similar form in the English Premier League.

Here's Liverpool's superb 3rd goal for your pleasure: pic.twitter.com/naHoboeCHs

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 23, 2017

That could not be further from the truth, however, as Jurgen Klopp’s men have struggled to find any rhythm in the opening fortnight of the domestic campaign.

The midweek European fixtures have played their part, but there was not a whole lot to like about either the 3-3 draw at Watford or the 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace.

Mohamed Salah has stood out in his first few weeks on Merseyside, scoring both at Vicarage Road on his club debut and against Hoffenheim.

Andy Robertson was excellent against Palace in his maiden outing, finishing the game with more touches than any other player on the park.

The Philippe Coutinho standoff still sullies the air around Anfield, but a resolution could be close now that Liverpool have guaranteed Champions League football.

Arsenal have also endured a mixed start to the 2017-18 Premier League campaign.

Only 4️⃣ days to go until #LFCvAFC…

We just had to dig this out: Andrey Arshavin's awesome foursome from 2009

⚽⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/7rvmw4O1D2

— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) August 23, 2017

Having survived a huge scare against Leicester City on opening night, the Gunners were left high and dry in Staffordshire as Jese fired Stoke City to a 1-0 win.

Coach Arsene Wenger cited a poor offside call on Alexandre Lacazette as the reason for the result, but the Londoners never created enough to consistently trouble the Potters’ defence.

At least the club’s big-money signing has wasted no time wading into the thick of the action.

It remains to be seen whether Alexis Sanchez will feature this weekend as Manchester City continue to chase his signature.

Arsenal are also fending off bids for Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – a reported target for Chelsea.

The Gunners are searching for their first win at Anfield since 2012, when Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla found the score sheet.

Roberto Firmino goalscorer picks

• Anytime goalscorer – +175 at Sportsbet
• First goalscorer – +500 at William Hill
• To score from outside the box – +750 at William Hill
• Two goals or more – +900 at Sportsbet
• Anytime goalscorer/Liverpool 2-1 – +1400 at Bet365

Emre Can may have grabbed the headlines with his tie-killing brace, but Roberto Firmino was arguably best afield in Liverpool’s Champions League win on Wednesday.

The former Hoffenheim forward worked his tail off – a facet of his game that is often under-appreciated by punters and pundits alike.

At least there’s one Brazilian in the Liverpool squad who is in Jurgen Klopp’s good books ??? pic.twitter.com/rqNVcQBCKl

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 23, 2017

He finished that game with an assist and a goal of his own, but it is the Brazilian’s record against Arsenal that intrigues us.

Firmino has faced the Gunners twice at Anfield, and on both of those occasions he opened the scoring.

The Reds are blessed with attacking options these days, but the number nine looks as good a bet as any.

More Liverpool vs. Arsenal bet specials

• Over 3.5 total goals – +150 at William Hill
• No goalscorer – +400 at Sportsbet
• Olivier Giroud to score a header – +700 at William Hill
• Both teams to score in both halves – +850 at Ladbrokes
• Alexandre Lacazette hat-trick – +12500 at Sportsbet

Match predictions

Whether or not you have a flutter on this one, it should be a belter for the neutral.

Both have designs on the title, yet neither have properly addressed their fatal flaws.

The biggest issue for Liverpool and Arsenal is one they share: defence.

No matter how good they look going forward, neither of these sides ever seems completely secure at the back.

That much was evident when the Reds came from behind to win 4-3 at the Emirates on opening weekend last season.

It is a question of which side will take greater advantage of the other’s weaknesses, and recent history points to the hosts.

Liverpool to win and both teams to score – +280 at William Hill