Rio Ferdinand is confident Liverpool will head into Sunday’s blockbuster Premier League showdown against Arsenal as ‘100% favourites’.
Arne Slot has made a sensational start to his Anfield tenure, with a surprise defeat against Nottingham Forest the only blot on his copybook so far.
Indeed, Liverpool’s victory over RB Leipzig in midweek saw the Dutchman become the first manager in the club’s history to win 11 of his first 12 matches.
The Reds have lost their last two Premier League games at the Emirates Stadium but will travel to north London in justifiably confident mood, especially given Arsenal’s recent comparative struggles.
Mikel Arteta’s men slumped to a shock defeat against Bournemouth last week and although they returned to winning ways against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday, Arsenal were far from their fluent best.
William Saliba’s suspension, allied to injury concerns over the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, represent further complications and Ferdinand is confident Liverpool will be scenting an opportunity to put significant ground between them and a major title rival.
‘I think on form, momentum I would say 100% Liverpool I think they’re the team you look at and say they’re in a better position,’ he told TNT Sport.
‘If you look at injuries at the moment Arsenal seem decimated in that sense.
‘They haven’t got momentum they’re not firing on all cylinders, they’re not the Arsenal of last season at the moment so I think Liverpool the tide has turned. .We’re only a few games into the season but right now Liverpool here (look the team to beat).’
Arteta acknowledged his team are not yet hitting the heights of last season but has vowed the Emirates will be rocking come kick-off this weekend.
‘Well I think there were two very different halves, first one we were very dominant, we created four big, big chances we should have converted them and put the game to bed with the amount of dominance we had,’ said Arteta, reflecting on the win over Shakhtar.
‘The second half very different, we look tired, we lacked that sharpness with and without the ball to regain the ball in the right moments as well in the right areas and giving certain balls away that allow certain transitions.
‘We had two big chances again, missed a big penalty and that emotion again was difficult to overcome and we have to begin but credit to them they are a good side the moment you allow them space, don’t finish actions and give them the chance to run they are a threat. Overall it’s Champions League, get the win, clean sheet. Let’s move on.’
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