OPINION
Liverpool’s task to overcome Arsenal in their clash with them at the Emirates on Saturday has been made harder as Bernd Leno is set to start between the sticks for the Gunners.
The Daily Mail reported on Friday that the 26-year-old was poised to start for the Gunners ahead of Petr Cech despite the experience goalkeeper being fit again after a recent spell on the sidelines.
This makes the Reds’ job of trying to achieve all three points from their clash with the Gunners more difficult as Leno is clearly the superior keeper at this time and aids his side’s attack more.
The 26-year-old, who earns £90,000-a-week at the Emirates (Source: Spotrac), has played eight times this season and has registered three clean sheets in the process.
Leno looks a more reassuring presence at the back and a more calming one for his defenders as in recent times Cech has made unexpected blunders that have seen his side ship unnecessary goals.
While the Reds don’t need any additional help scoring, they would have had a much easier task firing the ball past Cech as clearly he’s not the keeper he once was.
However given that the Gunners seem resigned to conceding in games and rely on simply outscoring their opponents, then Leno is also the shot-stopper must likely to give the Reds a problem.
The 26-year-old is way more comfortable at launching his side on the attack as he is adept at playing the ball out from the back, something that tends to baffle Cech, and this will only aid the Gunners.
The Reds will have to be aware of Leno’s ability to lead from the back as it could see the Gunners able to launch fast counter-attacks which could cause Jurgen Klopp’s side to be caught unaware.
Therefore this all means that with Leno likely to get the nod to start over Cech, the Reds will have a much more difficult task of ensuring they leave the Emirates with all three points when they face Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.
