Arsenal vs Liverpool: Former Player Believes Liverpool Not Taking FA Cup Seriously
Former Liverpool player, Jose Enrique, believes that Liverpool are not taking the FA Cup as seriously as Arsenal. However, he still backs his former side to reach the fourth-round.
A Close Match Between Arsenal and Liverpool
Arsenal will host Liverpool at the Emirates on Sunday in what is considered the pick of the third-round fixtures. The game is expected to be a close one, as the Reds currently lead the Gunners in the title race and are in better form. Just two weeks ago, the sides played out a tight 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Unlike a Premier League clash, both teams are likely to make changes for this FA Cup match. Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, has a history of heavily rotating his team for domestic cup competitions.
Arsenal More Motivated for the Clash
Enrique, who was an FA Cup finalist with Liverpool in 2012, believes that Arsenal will be more motivated for this clash. He acknowledges that Liverpool has to consider the rest of their season, including their Europa League campaign. Enrique still holds hope that Liverpool can secure a narrow victory.
“There are just too many games at the moment, so Liverpool will definitely need to make changes. It is sad because the FA Cup is a great competition to play in,” Enrique said.
The Importance of the Game for Arsenal
Enrique believes that this game is more important for Arsenal. He points out that Liverpool had a poor season last year but is now fighting for the Premier League title. However, Enrique does not think they can win unless they make signings in January.
“Arsenal have spent a lot of money, and sometimes a good position in the league is just not enough. They need to win more. Liverpool finishing in the top four will be good for them, and they will be fighting for the Europa League, so it is more important for Arsenal to go far in the FA Cup,” Enrique explained.
Despite his analysis, Enrique still believes in Liverpool and predicts a 2-1 win for them. Arsenal has not won a major trophy since the 2020 FA Cup and has recently slipped to fourth in the table.
The Reds are still competing in all four competitions this season and have a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final against Fulham in January.
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