Jamie Carragher admits he wishes Liverpool had one in every of Arsenal’s players ahead of their huge Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Following the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Wednesday night, Liverpool have gone eight points clear of Arsenal albeit having played a game more.
The Reds were unconvincing of their draws at Villa and Everton and narrow win over Wolves, and on Sunday they face an enormous test after they travel to the Etihad.
Despite the recent performances, Arne Slot’s side are way more fancied to lift the trophy, partially due to the Gunners’ terrible luck with injuries, especially in attack.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are out for the season, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli remain sidelined, with Mikel Arteta forced to deploy defensive midfielder Mikel Merino as a striker of their last game – admittedly to great effect.
Carragher claims Arteta would like to have one in every of Liverpool’s forwards in his squad but additionally admits that he would have liked Slot to sign an additional defender in January as a way to have guaranteed the title.
‘Whoever falls short this season can be asking themselves if they may have done just a little more in the summertime and January transfer windows,’ the Liverpool legend wrote in his Telegraph column.
‘It is certain to dominate the post-season discussion at Anfield and the Emirates if there are only just a few points between first and second. I’m not convinced either club truly grasped the nettle with recruitment to maximise their possibilities.
‘Arsenal supporters have been concerned for the reason that start of the yr that they should not have the crucial firepower. How Arteta must wish he had someone of the calibre of Cody Gakpo in his squad, the Dutchman’s 16 goals on this campaign going under the radar.
‘For Liverpool, I actually have been banging the drum concerning the need for defensive reinforcement and need they’d a full-back like Jurrien Timber.
‘The recent injuries to Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley leave Slot wanting cover, but he still has his first-choice back 4 to pick – a contrast to Arsenal’s injury problems up front.’
Timber missed practically all of last season with injury but has been a dependable player for Arsenal this campaign, playing in every position across the backline.
Injuries to Gomez and Bradley mean Trent Alexander-Arnold is the one senior right-back at Liverpool as they appear to win each the Premier League and Champions League.
Man City may not pose as much of a threat as previous seasons, but Carragher believes that ought to Liverpool triumph on Sunday, the title is nearly actually theirs, adding: ‘Beat Manchester City on the Etihad and win the title.
‘It sounds more straightforward than it’s, and nobody can be making such a wildly premature declaration if Arne Slot is celebrating an away win on Sunday night, but history informs us that victory on this fixture will be the difference between being champions and runners-up.
‘Jürgen Klopp would have won two more titles with victories on the Etihad in 2019 and 2022. Mikel Arteta would have been marking the top of Arsenal’s 20-year wait so as to add to Arsène Wenger’s Premier League triumphs with an away win last season.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the newest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Champions League Supercomputer suggestions Arsenal to clinch first-ever title this term
MORE: Oliver Glasner gives Eberechi Eze injury update ahead of Fulham vs Crystal Palace
MORE: Ruben Amorim provides Man Utd injury update and clears up Christian Eriksen ‘misunderstanding’ ahead of Everton clash
