Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Arsenal will make two changes for their clash with his Liverpool side, bringing in Granit Xhaka and Nicolas Pepe.
Both teams have won their opening two matches of the Premier League season going into their meeting at Anfield on Saturday evening, and the German expects his visitors to make some alterations from their 2-1 win over Burnley.
Speaking in a press conference on Friday, as quoted by Goal journalist Neil Jones, he said: “Arsenal will make, I think, two changes?
“They will bring in Pepe, which will not make them weaker, and Xhaka.
“Good team, real pace, wow! But I look forward to these games.”
Klopp: "Arsenal will make, I think, two changes? They will bring in Pepe, which will not make them weaker, and Xhaka. Good team, real pace, wow! But I look forward to these games." #LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) August 23, 2019
OPINION
Klopp isn’t just content with picking his own side now, he appears to be turning his hand to electing his opponent’s too. In all seriousness though, you would be surprised if he was wrong in his prediction, especially when it comes to Pepe. The Ivorian has played just 64 minutes of Premier League football so far this term, but he looks like a real danger man, and his introduction really helped to turn the tide of things in last weekend’s won over Burnley. The 24-year-old is a live wire, and has already averaged two dribbles and 1.5 key passes per match, as per Whoscored. You would expect those numbers to keep on rising as acclimatises himself to English game, and after a fortnight waiting in the wings, Saturday could be the ideal time for him to step into the limelight. If he does start, he could cause some serious problems for the Reds, but in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, Klopp will feel that he has a duo of full-backs capable of quelling any potential threat, regardless of where Pepe pops up.
