Souness plays down Arsenal form as they face an ‘angry’ Liverpool

Joe Williams
Former Liverpool midfielder Graeme Souness

Graeme Souness has played down Arsenal’s recent form as they prepare to face an “angry” Liverpool at the weekend.

The Gunners will go above the Reds with a victory at Anfield on Saturday after going ten matches unbeaten in all competitions, winning eight of them.

Jurgen Klopp’s side lost to West Ham 3-2 before the international break with Liverpool now below the Hammers in fourth place and four points behind leaders Chelsea.


Big Weekend: Liverpool v Arsenal, Gerrard, Newcastle, Donny, Xavi


And Souness thinks the Reds will be a wounded animal against Arsenal on Saturday with the former midfielder largely unimpressed by Mikel Arteta’s side’s recent run of form.

Souness said on Sky Sports’ Essential Football Podcast: “I think Liverpool will be the angry team having lost last time out where they were not at their normal standards.

“So I’m expecting a full throttle Liverpool against an Arsenal team who will be turning up with a bit of confidence and I’d be cautious with that.

“But given the teams they (Arsenal) have been playing of late, they’re not exactly top of the table teams: an average Leicester this year, a draw with Brighton, beating Watford, Norwich and beating a very poor Spurs team.

“They’ve got some confidence from winning games and they’re sitting in a very healthy position in the league but the hard part of their season is ahead.”

Arsenal have not won a match at Liverpool since September 2012 – a 2-0 victory – which amounts to an eight-match winless streak at Anfield.

When asked how the match will go given the Gunners’ bad run at Anfield, Souness added: “(It will go the) same way.

“No matter what Liverpool team play, whatever the selection is, I think Liverpool will be an angry team with a point to prove at the weekend.”

Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher admits he judged the signing of new Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale too soon after the England international signed from Sheffield United in the summer.

Carragher told the Ringer FC Podcast: “The keeper, I mean if I’ve ever been wrong about a player more than Aaron Ramsdale, I don’t know who it is yet.

“It’s still early days, but I remember that last-minute goal vs Crystal Palace and he ran from one end of the other to get involved with the celebrations.”