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Football London
Football London
Sport
Nathan Bliss

We simulated Liverpool vs Arsenal to get a score prediction for Anfield six goal thriller

Arsenal have made a very promising start to the new 2019/20 Premier League season, winning both of their opening two games, but they face their first real test of their top four credentials this weekend.

The Gunners travel to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Saturday evening, with the Reds also having a 100% record themselves, as they look to beat Man City to the league title this season.

It's likely that Arsenal's new club record signing Nicolas Pepe will get his first start for the club on Saturday, with the Ivorian appearing as a substitute in the first two games.

So, which XI will Arsenal go with at Anfield?

And, what will the final score be on Saturday?

We used FIFA 19 to simulate Saturday game and get a unique score prediction, in what promises to be an exciting game.

Liverpool vs Arsenal on FIFA 19

To set up this simulation, we used kick-off mode but didn't select a team to control; we then selected the teams and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a unique prediction.

The AI difficulty was set to world class, with the line-up updated with the latest transfers, injuries and suspensions. Obviously, as we're still using FIFA 19 for the time being, the kits aren't updated, so please use your imagination.

We predict that Liverpool will set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with the line-up as follows: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

We predict that rsenal will set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows; Leno; Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, Luiz, Monreal; Torreira, Guendouzi, Ceballos; Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Unai Emery went with an attacking lineup and a positive gameplan at Anfield, which surprised Liverpool, and yielded tremendous results.

In the opening 12 minutes, the Gunners found themselves 2-0 up against the Reds.

First, Monreal floated a poor cross into the Liverpool penalty area, only for the ball to hit Virgil van Dijk in the shoulder and fly past Adrian to make it 1-0.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

A freak goal, but Arsenal won't care about that.

Just four minutes later, Nicolas Pepe ran directly at Andy Robertson, before cutting inside and aiming a brilliant cross into the far post, where Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was waiting to head home.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

The second goal sparked big celebrations for the Gunners.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Arsenal were playing well and keeping the ball with real confidence, frustrating the Klopp's team.

However, Liverpool have made a habit of extraordinary comebacks, and they produced another one in the first-half of this game.

In the 29th minute, Mohamed Salah cut inside from the right and found himself in the number 10 position, before playing a lovely through ball towards Roberto Firmino, who outpaced Sokratis and smashed the ball into the far post, halving the deficit.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Sadio Mane equalised for the Reds only six minutes later, beating a few Arsenal defenders before cutting inside and bending a lovely shot into the top corner from just outside the box.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

But, they weren't finished there.

Four minutes before half-time, Firmino wriggled past Sokratis in the area and got himself half a yard of space, before unleashing a powerful effort past Leno's near post yet again. Arsenal's lead, and defence, had been destroyed by the Liverpool front three.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

The second-half was significantly quieter, with Arsenal having the majority of the possession, but Liverpool remaining very dangerous on the counter.

But, the Gunners finally got the goal they'd been searching for when David Luiz rose above Joe Gomez at a corner in the 65th minute, powering a header past Adrian to put the away side on level terms once again.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

What a game this was turning out to be.

In the final 20 minutes, neither side risked too much to win the game, there were also some exhausted players out there after a chaotic first-half.

In the end, both sides had to settle for a draw, as they remained unbeaten, but their 100% records were no more.

Full-time score: Liverpool 3-3 Arsenal

Here are the full-time match stats.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Arsenal had the majority of possession, but it was a fair result on the balance of play.

(EA SPORTS FIFA)

Arsenal's best player on the day was Nicolas Pepe, on his full debut for the club, setting up the second goal and putting in an excellent individual performance.

FIFA 19 predicts that Arsenal's visit to Anfield on Saturday will be an absolute thriller, with an own goal, two comebacks and six goals in total.

One thing's for sure, it probably won't be boring.

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