Arsenal – Liverpool, stream live! How to watch, analysis, odds

By Apr 3, 2021, 5:07 PM EDT
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Arsenal – Liverpool: A pair of outside contenders for the Premier League’s top-four are set for battle at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday (Watch live at 3 pm ET, on NBCSN and online via NBCSports.com).

ARSENAL – LIVERPOOL STREAM LIVE

Following the conclusion of the international break, Arsenal and Liverpool have nine games to erase nine- and five-point gaps between themselves and 4th-place Chelsea in order to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League. Of course, Liverpool could win this season’s UCL to qualify for next season and Arsenal could win the Europa League to get themselves in as well.

[ MORE: How to watch PL in the USA ]  

Here is everything you need to know ahead of Arsenal – Liverpool with team news, live analysis odds, stream link and more.

Live analysis from the Emirates Stadium – Joe Prince-Wright in north London

Analysis

FULL TIME! What a win for Liverpool to boost their top four hopes. Klopp’s boys dominated from start to finish. Arsenal were woeful and looked scared to attack.

CHANCES! Big opportunities for Salah but Leno saves, while Mane twice goes close and should head home TAA’s amazing free kick.

82nd minute: GOALLL!!! Jota scores again after Alexander-Arnold did superbly to win the ball back. Game. Set. Match.

75th minute: Liverpool totally dominating this. Arsenal have no idea how to go forward.

68th minute: GOALLL!!! Liverpool in control. Mohamed Salah cuts in from the right, makes the most of a mistake from Gabriel and nutmegs Leno. Cheeky finish. Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool. Game over? Surely.

64th minute: GOALLLL! It only took him a few minutes. Jota heads home a superb cross from Alexander-Arnold as Holding got it all wrong. What a ball and what a finish! Liverpool deservedly lead 1-0.

60th minute: Elneny on for Ceballos for Arsenal, while Diogo Jota is on for Robertson. Milner going to left back. Very rare chance for Arsenal, as Cedric smashes at goal but Alisson saves easily.

50th minute: Second half is underway and Liverpool continue to dominate possession. Arsenal had four touches in Liverpool’s penalty box in the first half. Four.

HALF TIME THOUGHTS: Arsenal haven’t got going at all, and Liverpool have missed a couple of big chances to open the scoring. Jurgen Klopp will be really happy with this display. Salah is looking sharp, and Milner should have put the Reds 1-0 up. You get the sense this will be a one goal game. Arsenal just sat back and don’t want to this be an open game.

35th minute: That should be 1-0 to Liverpool. After great play down the right, the ball finds James Milner on the edge of the box… but he smashes wide. The Liverpool bench in front of me were already celebrating. Great chance goes begging for Liverpool.

31st minute: Liverpool have dominated the last 15 minutes, as Firmino turns and flashes a fine shot just wide. Klopp is loving this display. Can they go ahead before half time? Arsenal have their first effort, as Pepe heads tamely at goal, but it wouldn’t have counted as Aubameyang was offside.

20th minute: Klopp screams ‘keeeeep goingggg’ at the top of his voice. Liverpool bossing possession and Salah and Firmino linking up well.

15th minute: Liverpool have finally woken up. Milner and Fabinho have shots from outside the box which both fly a yard or so wide. Klopp applauds both efforts.

Sights and sounds: With no fans in the stadium you can hear the trains roaring towards Euston not far from here. In the 7th minute, chants of ‘Rocky, Rocky, Rocky Rocastle’ played over the loud speakers here at the Emirates Stadium to honor David Rocastle. Lovely moment.

KICK OFF! Bright start from Arsenal here as Arteta urges Aubameyang to keep pressing high. Klopp bellowing out ‘moveeee’ at his Liverpool players. Just like that Snickers commercial.

We are ready to go! Klopp and Liverpool look fired up. Can they close the gap on Chelsea in the top four battle?

Starting lineups intriguing for both clubs. Xhaka, Saka and Smith Rowe miss out for Arsenal, while Firmino is back for Liverpool.

Also: Calum Chambers is now Arsenal’s starting lineup with Cedric and Bellerin on the bench. Who saw that coming!?

Hello and welcome to a slightly chilly Spring evening here at the Emirates Stadium!

Pre-amble, via Andy Edwards:

“The Gunners find themselves in the midst of a relatively positive and calm moment, during a season that can only be described as anything but positive or calm. It wasn’t until January, four full months into the 2020-21 season, that Arsenal achieved their first streak of three games without a defeat as they went on to reach seven games before the end of the month. Then came three more losses in four games to start February, followed by the Gunners’ current four-game run of alternating wins and draws.

“As for Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp’s side finds itself perpetually stuck in a free fall that feels like it started years ago, but in truth began just before the start of the new year. Since battering Crystal Palace 7-0 on Dec. 19, Liverpool have won just four of 15 Premier League games (4W-3D-8L). Despite losing center backs Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip for the rest of the season, the Reds’ defense has hardly been the issue in recent weeks. Back-to-back 1-0 defeats, to Chelsea and Fulham, saw Liverpool fail to create and/or convert scoring chances in a way you wouldn’t expect them to do. Arsenal will hardly be generous in their own defensive third, which could make for another frustrating day for Klopp and Co.”

Team news: Arsenal – Liverpool (INJURY REPORT)

Arsenal

OUT: Bukayo Saka (thigh), Emile Smith Rowe (quad), Granit Xhaka (undisclosed), David Luiz (knee)

Liverpool

OUT: Virgil van Dijk (knee – out for season), Joel Matip (ankle – out for season), Joe Gomez (knee – out for season), Jordan Henderson (adductor), Divock Origi (undisclosed), Caoimhin Kelleher (abdomen)

Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Roberto Firmino will return from injury, while captain Jordan Henderson is close to stepping up his comeback and the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are still focused on just their club commitments.

“Bobby [Firmino] is back,” Klopp said. “All the others not and I have no idea about the Euros. They are all in the place they should be at the moment. I don’t have bad news or brilliant news. Jordan is not here at the moment, he cannot train. He will train in the next days or weeks, for sure.”

Odds and ends (full odds provided by our partner, PointsBet)

Arsenal (+210) | Liverpool (+120) | Draw (+245)

PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links

Prediction

A low-scoring affair with Arsenal narrowly taking the points. It won’t be pretty, but it will be effective — and that’s the new Arsenal. Arsenal 1-0 Liverpool.

How to watch Arsenal – Liverpool: stream and start time

Kickoff: 3 pm ET Saturday
TV: NBCSN
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com

Premier League transfer news

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Folarin Balogun to USMNT? “It’s something that will come to me”

By Mar 23, 2023, 12:27 PM EDT
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Folarin Balogun has reportedly been spotted in Orlando, Florida as the USMNT eligible striker being in the USA has caused quite a stir among the American fanbase.

He posted a photo on social media which shows he is near to the USMNT’s training camp in Florida.

[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ] 

Balogun, 21, has scored 17 goals in France’s top-flight for Reims this season as his loan spell from Arsenal has gone incredibly well and only Jonathan David and Kylian Mbappe have scored more goals than him in Ligue 1 so far in 2022-23.

USMNT interim head coach Anthony Hudson was asked about Balogun being nearby to the training base and was coy: “With Flo, all I’ll say is that there is open dialogue with him and his team, and that dialogue is continuing. That’s all I can say on that one.”

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Balogun could watch the USMNT play against El Salvador in Orlando on Monday as he continues his talks with U.S. Soccer and assesses his options.

Latest USMNT news

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Projected USMNT lineup for Nations League games in March
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Three key questions for USMNT in March
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USMNT upcoming schedule – Nations League, friendlies, Gold Cup

What are the chances he selects USMNT?

Internationally he is eligible to play for the USA, England and Nigeria and he has represented England’s youth teams in recent years and has previously played for the USA at U18 level.

Balogun was expected to play for the Three Lions during this international break as he is England’s main goalscoring threat at U21 level (coach Lee Carsley explains that below) but he pulled out of their squad due to injury.

He may have used that unexpected window of opportunity to fly to Orlando to meet with U.S. Soccer reps to discuss his potential future with the USMNT. So, will he switch his international allegiance?

Arsenal teammate and USMNT’s starting goalkeeper Matt Turner had this to say when asked about Balogun.

“Yeah, he’d be a great addition to our national team. I think he’s done really well, obviously, for his club on loan, and we’ll see. The decision has to come from the heart, because it’s not necessarily an easy task always, to come and play in these CONCACAF games, and it’s a tough region at times. So for us, we’d be really grateful to have him, but his heart needs to be in it,” Turner said.

What does he think?

Balogun has spoken about this topic before as Pro Soccer Talk asked him about his international future in an interview at the start of last season.

We asked Balogun if other Arsenal academy graduates like Yunus Musah and Bukayo Saka being in similar situations has led to them discussing how they made their decision on which country to represent and if that would help him to decide who he plays for internationally.

“I haven’t spoken to any of them about the nationality situation,” Balogun said. “Even from just the way I’ve known them, it is not something they have put a lot of pressure on themselves about. I think it is a decision that comes naturally to them.

“I think I’m going to do the same and hopefully something will just come to me and then I will make a decision… I don’t want to put too much pressure on the situation. It is just something that will just come to me.”

Maybe that feeling will come to him while he is in Orlando area over the next few days.

Projected USMNT lineup for Nations League games in March

By Mar 23, 2023, 11:37 AM EDT
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The USMNT have two intriguing CONCACAF Nations League games coming up at Grenada and at home against El Salvador over the next week and interim head coach Anthony Hudson has some big decisions to make.

[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ] 

Who is the starter in goal? Who will replace the injured Tyler Adams in midfield? Will Gio Reyna start in attack? And perhaps the biggest question for the USMNT over the last few years: who is going to start as the No. 9?

Below is a look at the projected USMNT lineup for the key Nations League games, with this international window a key window ahead of the Gold Cup this summer.

Latest USMNT news

Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun to USMNT? “It’s something that will come to me”
USMNT
Three key questions for USMNT in March
USMNT schedule
USMNT upcoming schedule – Nations League, friendlies, Gold Cup

How to watch USMNT

TV channels in English: HBO Max, TNT
TV channels en Español: Universo, Telemundo Deportes
Streaming en Español: Peacock

Projected USMNT lineup for Nations League games vs Grenada, El Salvador

—– Turner —–

— Dest — M. Robinson — Ream — A. Robinson —

—- McKennie —- Musah —-

—- Reyna —- Aaronson —- Pulisic —-

—– Pepi —–

Analysis of the USMNT lineup options

There is a real battle between Matt Turner, Ethan Horvath and Zack Steffen emerging. Not quite Friedel, Meola and Keller, but it’s still very good. Turner has looked understandably shaky for Arsenal in his recent Europa League outings and he needs to head out on loan to play regularly next season. That is what Steffen and Horvath have done and their moves from the Premier League to the Championship have worked out perfectly as they’re both regulars for teams battling for promotion to England’s top-flight. Don’t be surprised if Steffen starts over Turner in at least one of these games.

The back four pretty much picks itself with three of the four starters from the World Cup included in this squad in Sergio Dest, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson. Having Miles Robinson back is a huge boost and it will be intriguing to see his partnership alongside Ream.

In midfield, captain Tyler Adams is missing through injury but you can expect Weston McKennie and Yunus Musah to both be deployed in their usual areas in the engine room. It would be great if Brenden Aaronson was given a free role in the No. 10 position to roam and create just ahead of them but Luca de la Torre could come straight in for Adams in a more defensive kind of role.

In attack Christian Pulisic is a lock on the left wing, while on the right it is time for Gio Reyna to come back into the fold as a regular now that he has finally had regular minutes under his belt at Borussia Dortmund with his injury issues hopefully behind him.

Up top it is one of Daryl Dike, Ricardo Pepi or Alex Zendejas with Taylor Booth an intriguing option following his first senior call-up. It will be fun to see if either Dike or Pepi can take this chance to nail down a starting spot as both have been in good form for West Brom and Groningen respectively, while Zendejas has been in good form for Club America.

Ranking Premier League Player of the Season candidates

By Mar 23, 2023, 11:32 AM EDT
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We are entering the final months of the 2022-23 season and now is a good time to start thinking about the candidates for Premier League Player of the Season.

It’s not that easy this season, is it?

[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]  

From Erling Haaland banging in goals galore to Arsenal’s youngsters shinning and talisman across the league carrying their teams, this award could be heading to some very different places.

Below is a look at the Premier League Player of the Season contenders heading into the home stretch.

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Ranking the Premier League Player of the Season candidates

7. Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)

KDB leads the Premier League in assists once again and his silky passes and crosses drive this Manchester City side. He has had dips in form this season and has struggled a little with injuries but he still delivers mind-boggling moments consistently and is always hungry to deliver. He is the kind of character you His connection with Erling Haaland has been particularly strong and KDB is ready to lead City to a late-season trophy push.

6. Harry Kane (Tottenham)

He has hit the 20-goal marker in the Premier League for the sixth time in nine full PL seasons in his career. The other three seasons he scored 17, 18 and 17. His consistency is remarkable and Kane is on track to beat his best-ever PL haul of 30. As well as becoming Spurs’ all-time leading goalscorer, his importance to the way they play is clear. With Heung-min Son having a poor season, Spurs will be worried about Kane suffering from a bad back late in the season from all the carrying he’s done this campaign…

5. Ivan Toney (Brentford)

Brentford’s main man is only behind Kane and Haaland in goals and is leading their unlikely charge for Europe. The Bees and Toney were supposed to be a bit of a one-season wonder but that isn’t the case. Toney has developed his game and like Kane, he links up play superbly and if he doesn’t score, he makes sure to help create plenty of chances. Off the pitch the FA charging him with alleged breaches of their betting rules is hanging over him but on it Toney has been incredible. Plus, his penalty kick record, and technique, is amazing.

4. Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

In red-hot form since the World Cup, this is the Marcus Rashford we know and love. His runs in-behind have caused havoc and Rashford has become United’s talisman. He needs more help to share the goalscoring burden but he is seeing plenty of chances fall his way as United play direct and to his strengths. Rashford is so hard to mark wherever he starts on the pitch and he’s added clinical finishing to his wonderful pace and intelligent runs.

3. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)

The Arsenal skipper has been majestic and is so calm on the ball but has also brought a steely determination to his game. He has blossomed as a leader under Mikel Arteta and has popped up with important goals and assists throughout the Gunners’ campaign. Odegaard was always seen as a silky playmaker but he’s added extra grit and drive to his play and his connection with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli is a big reason why Arsenal are challenging for the title.

2. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)

Scoring goals at an incredible rate all season long, Haaland is so tough to stop when Manchester City get going. He has scored all types of goals and has slotted in seamlessly. There are still spells when he goes a few games without a goal but he always bounces back and his hold-up play is improving even as Premier League defenders become more aware of his movements. He is a special talent, a powerhouse and a goal-machine. If City win the title, Haaland’s goals will be a huge reason why.

1. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

It’s hard to believe Saka is still just 21 years old. He was a star at the World Cup with England and his early goals and assists in games have been a key feature of Arsenal’s title push. Saka is so hard to stop when he gets going as he can go either way, whip in a delightful cross or score a beauty of his own. He is the complete attacking player and the Arsenal academy graduate is a club legend in the making. What a season he’s had and he never seems to run out of steam.

Honorable mentions: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Casemiro (Manchester United), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Rodri (Manchester City), Alexis Mac Allister (Brighton), Moises Caicedo (Brighton), William Saliba (Arsenal), Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal), Thomas Partey (Arsenal), Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal), Leandro Trossard (Brighton, Arsenal), James Maddison (Leicester City), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Miguel Almiron (Newcastle), Joao Palhinha (Fulham)

EURO 2024 qualification schedule: EURO qualifiers results, standings

By Mar 23, 2023, 11:30 AM EDT
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EURO 2024 qualifying is here, and you’re in the right spot for groups, fixtures, and results.

Italy outlasted England in penalty kicks to win EURO 2020 and is bidding to become the first repeat winner since Spain in 2008 and 2012.

[ MORE: Breaking down Premier League title race ]

England is still seeking its first European Championship and will be favored to emerge from Group C with aforementioned Italy as well as Ukraine, North Macedonia, and Malta.

Netherlands and France are also in a spicy group that has dark horse Republic of Ireland and former champions Greece, as well as Gibraltar.

A number of nations have guaranteed themselves no worse than a playoff spot due to their performances in the UEFA Nations League: Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Spain, Scotland, Georgia, Croatia, Turkey, Serbia, Kazakhstan.

Premier League news

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Folarin Balogun to USMNT? “It’s something that will come to me”
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EURO 2024 qualifying schedule

Thursday, March 23

Kazakhstan vs Slovenia — 11am ET
Slovakia vs Luxembourg — 3:45pm ET
Italy vs England — 3:45pm ET
Denmark vs Finland — 3:45pm ET
Portugal vs Liechtenstein — 3:45pm ET
San Marino vs Northern Ireland — 3:45pm ET
North Macedonia vs Malta — 3:45pm ET
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Iceland — 3:45pm ET

Friday, March 24

Bulgaria vs Montenegro — 1pm ET
Gibraltar vs Greece — 3:45pm ET
Moldova vs Faroe Islands — 3:45pm ET
Serbia vs Lithuania — 3:45pm ET
Austria vs Azerbaijan — 3:45pm ET
Sweden vs Belgium– 3:45pm ET
Czech Republic vs Poland — 3:45pm ET
France vs Netherlands — 3:45pm ET

Saturday, March 25

Scotland vs Cyprus — 10am ET
Israel vs Kosovo  — 1pm ET
Armenia vs Turkey — 1pm ET
Belarus vs Switzerland  — 1pm ET
Spain vs Norway — 3:45pm ET
Croatia vs Wales — 3:45pm ET
Andorra vs Romania — 3:45pm ET

Sunday, March 26

Kazakhstan vs Denmark — 9am ET
England vs Ukraine — Noon ET
Liechtenstein vs Iceland — Noon ET
Slovenia vs San Marino — Noon ET
Slovakia vs Bosnia and Herzegovina — 2:45pm ET
Northern Ireland vs Finland — 2:45pm ET
Luxembourg vs Portugal — 2:45pm ET
Malta vs Italy — 2:45pm ET

Monday, March 27

Montenegro vs Serbia — 2:45pm ET
Netherlands vs Gibraltar — 2:45pm ET
Poland vs Albania — 2:45pm ET
Austria vs Estonia — 2:45pm ET
Sweden vs Azerbaijan — 2:45pm ET
Moldova vs Czech Republic — 2:45pm ET
Hungary vs Bulgaria — 2:45pm ET
Republic of Ireland vs France — 2:45pm ET

Tuesday, March 28

Georgia vs Norway — Noon ET
Wales vs Latvia — 2:45pm ET
Romania vs Belarus — 2:45pm ET
Switzerland vs Israel — 2:45pm ET
Kosovo vs Andorra — 2:45pm ET
Turkey vs Croatia — 2:45pm ET
Scotland vs Spain — 2:45pm ET

EURO 2024 qualifying standings

Group A

Spain
Scotland
Norway
Georgia
Cyprus

Group B

Netherlands
France
Republic of Ireland
Greece
Gibraltar

Group C

Italy
England
Ukraine
North Macedonia
Malta

Group D

Croatia
Wales
Armenia
Turkey
Latvia

Group E

Poland
Czech Republic
Albania
Faroe Islands
Moldova

Group F

Belgium
Austria
Sweden
Azerbaijan
Estonia

Group G

Hungary
Serbia
Montenegro
Bulgaria
Lithuania

Group H

Denmark
Finland
Slovenia
Kazakhstan
Northern Ireland
San Marino

Group I

Switzerland
Israel
Romania
Kosovo
Belarus
Andorra

Group J

Portugal
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Iceland
Luxembourg
Slovakia
Liechtenstein