Rio Ferdinand makes Liverpool '100%' favourites to beat Arsenal in Premier League on Sunday - 'The tide has turned'
By Matt Jones
Published 23/10/2024 at 23:44 GMT+1
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Arsenal host Liverpool in a huge Premier League clash this weekend, and TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand makes The Reds the favourites for the game at Emirates Stadium. Arne Slot's side are already four points clear of The Gunners in the table, and this could be a vital fixture in the title race. Ferdinand expects Liverpool, who have won 11 of their 12 games this season, to come out on top.
'Tide has turned' - Ferdinand, McManaman debate favourites ahead of Arsenal-Liverpool clash
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports pundit Rio Ferdinand believes Liverpool are the favourites for their Premier League showdown with Arsenal this weekend.
The Reds are top of the table after winning seven of their opening eight matches in the top flight.
That puts them narrowly above Manchester City, and four points clear of The Gunners, who were beaten 2-0 by Bournemouth on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta's side did bounce back by registering a 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
But Ferdinand does not think that is enough to make the North London outfit favourites for the clash.
"I think on form, momentum, I would say 100% Liverpool," he told TNT Sports. "I think they're the team that you look at and go 'they're in a better position'.
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"With injuries, Arsenal seem decimated in that sense, and they haven't got the momentum at the moment.
"They're not firing on all cylinders. They're not the Arsenal of last season at the moment.
"Liverpool, the tide has turned a bit right now. Brilliant few games into the season, but right now, I would say that Liverpool are probably the favourites."
Arne Slot has had a strong start to life at Anfield, since replacing Jurgen Klopp this summer.
A goal from Darwin Nunez secured a 1-0 Champions League success away to RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.
That means The Reds have won 11 of their 12 games in all competitions this season, with the only blot on their copybook a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest last month.
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'Disrespectful saying he's a number two' - Ferdinand, McManaman on 'outstanding' Kelleher
Video credit: TNT Sports
A 2-1 win over Chelsea at the weekend ensured they stayed top of the Premier League, and their former winger Steve McManaman says they can lay a marker in the title race at Emirates Stadium.
"It's very strange that we're talking about tides and momentum," he told TNT Sports. "But if Liverpool win, they go seven points clear.
"City have got Southampton. You expect them to win, no disrespect to Russell Martin and his team. They'll jump clear of them as well.
"If Arsenal beat Liverpool, of course they're one point behind them.
"Suddenly, the newspapers come Monday morning have a different reflection on how the result is.
"It's so early on in the season. It's crazy, we know, but everyone likes to talk about it and that's the impact it'll have."
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Highlights: Nunez nets winner for Liverpool in Leipzig as Kelleher shines
Video credit: TNT Sports
'Arteta has done an amazing job'
Slot, meanwhile, is relishing the chance to pit his wits against Arteta.
The two faced off when Liverpool met Arsenal in a pre-season friendly over the summer.
That game finished in a 2-1 win to The Reds, with Mohamed Salah and Fabio Carvalho on target, while Kai Havertz netted a consolation goal for the Gunners.
But Slot admits, given the first choice players who were missing for both sides, that this competitive encounter will be a completely different prospect.
"We know how tough an opponent Arsenal are, especially in their own stadium," he said.
"We faced them the season before on our USA tour where both teams weren't having all their players in yet.
"Arteta has done an amazing job in the last few years. So we know, like against Chelsea and like today, we have to be on top of our game to have a chance to get a result.
"But we will do everything to get that of course."
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