Chris Sutton makes Liverpool line-up prediction and shares what he thinks will happen against Arsenal

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Liverpool face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday in a game which neither side will be particularly looking forward to.

For the Reds, they at least get to bask in the glory of a guard of honour being delivered by their closest challengers for the league title this season.

However, that aside, the Liverpool squad will no doubt already have more than half an eye on the Premier League trophy lift and subsequent party in two weeks’ time.

As for Arsenal, they have just been knocked out of the Champions League and are essentially playing for nothing.

The Gunners would have hoped to arrive at Anfield still in with a chance of winning the league. Instead, they are drifting towards another trophy-less season.

With nothing to play for on either side, it could make for a strange occasion on Merseyside. That makes it a difficult game to predict. But pundit Chris Sutton has had a go anyway.

Draw predicted in Liverpool vs Arsenal

When Liverpool’s fixtures were announced, this match had the look of being a potential title-decider. However, the reality is that it is anything but.

Liverpool should still want to lay down a gauntlet, though. Arsenal have had a tough week and the Reds can kick one of their closest rivals while they are down. That is never a bad thing.

A big Liverpool win would send out a message to Arsenal ahead of next season too and potentially land a big psychological blow before the campaign has even started.

According to Sutton, though, that is unlikely to happen. After predicting Arne Slot to go strong with his line-up, the former striker backed a score draw.

READ MORE: Liverpool predicted XI vs Arsenal as Arne Slot hands out full Premier League debut and makes eight changes

“I really don’t know what to expect,” Sutton told BBC Sport. “Liverpool were way below their best against Chelsea last week, but Arne Slot could go strong here and they may feel they have a point to prove against their nearest rivals.

“Similarly, Arsenal could be flat after their disappointment in Paris, or they could come out firing. Hopefully that’s the case, and both teams will be up for it. 1-1”

More riding on Liverpool vs Arsenal than it looks

On the face of it, this is a game which matters as little as is possible in a Premier League football match.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	35	25	7	3	81	35	46	82
2	ArsenalArsenal	35	18	13	4	64	31	33	67
3	Man CityManchester City	36	19	8	9	67	43	24	65
4	NewcastleNewcastle	35	19	6	10	66	45	21	63

However, the psychological element of Liverpool beating the team in second place, or of Arsenal coming to the home of the champions and winning, should not be underestimated.

Mikel Arteta will likely see the game as a chance to get some confidence into his players that they can win at Anfield, something they haven’t done in the Premier League since 2012.

As for Liverpool, the opportunity to really hammer home their status as champions is an enticing one and is something that should fire them up.

Unlike Sutton, we did not think Liverpool were all that bad against Chelsea. But in what is likely to be a stiffer test on Sunday, they will have to be better. Given both sides have nothing to really lose, hopefully it will be a good game.