Harry Redknapp backs Arsenal star to ‘dominate’ Liverpool in title test
Harry Redknapp has revealed his prediction for Arsenal’s title test against defending champions Liverpool and backed Declan Rice to ‘dominate’ Arne Slot’s side.
Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool face title favourites Arsenalat the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night.
Despite improving over the past month or so following an alarming run of form, Liverpool remain 14 points behind the Gunners ahead of this weekend’s clash in north London.
A desperately disappointing first-half to the season has forced Liverpool, the popular pre-season title favourites, to lower their ambition and likely focus on a top-four finish.
Arsenal, in contrast, are looking good to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004, opening up a six-point lead over second-placed Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta’s side were said to suffer a wobble this time last month but seven successive victories – including an emphatic 4-1 win over third-placed Aston Villa – has put those fears to bed.
Redknapp believes Arsenal are ‘back to their best’ ahead of the visit of Liverpool and cannot see them relinquishing their position at the top of the Premier League.
The former manager expects Arteta’s team to prove too strong for stuttering Liverpool and backed Rice to ‘dominate’ the midfield battle.
Rice has been in sensational form for well over 12 months now and scored twice in Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Bournemouth last time out.
‘This is the big one,’ Redknapp told BetVictor. ‘Arsenal had a tricky period, but they look right back to their best and have extended their lead at the top.
‘I think they’ll take some stopping this season, they just don’t look like dropping points, particularly at home.
‘More dropped points for Liverpool and I don’t really think they deserved much more than a point at Fulham. They just seem to lack a dynamism in attack, which is surprising to me given how much quality they have.
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‘This feels like a big game for their season. Could they spark into life and blow the title race wide open? I’m not sure.
‘We’ve seen better teams than Liverpool go to Arsenal this season and really struggle. I think Arsenal win 3-1.
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‘We all know at home they are unbeaten this season. So it’s a nice challenge and we should be ready for a fight.
‘I’m looking forward to it and everyone should. That is the only way to try to get a result. There is no reason to not look forward to it.’
‘Declan Rice has been in such great form yet again for his club and he was the difference at the weekend against Bournemouth.
‘In these big games I always think that midfield battle is so important, and I think he could dominate it.’
Paul Merson has backed his former club Arsenal to win by the same scoreline and says a home win would knock Liverpool ‘completely out of the title race’.
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‘If you’re Arsenal, it’s a brilliant time to be playing Liverpool,’ Merson told Sportskeeda. ‘Should Arsenal win at the Emirates, Liverpool are completely out of the title race.
‘Something is just not right at Liverpool and I can’t see them getting a result here. I don’t understand why Arne Slot decided to take Cody Gakpo off after he scored against Fulham.
‘If Gakpo was on the pitch, he picks up Harrison Reed before that incredible late goal. It was such a bad decision from the Liverpool manager. Hugo Ekitike must play this game if he’s fit.
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‘Arsenal are solid at the back and Liverpool need Ekitike up against them defenders. I would also play Federico Chiesa because of his energy. Liverpool won’t have much of the ball in this game, so Chiesa will be useful on the break.
‘Florian Wirtz is also starting to show his quality. When Liverpool took him off against Fulham, we saw how their attacking department suffered. I rate him and I expect him to become a key player for Liverpool in the future.
‘It’s weird but I’d be more shocked if Liverpool won at Arsenal than Wolves or Leeds winning their games away from home this gameweek.
‘Arsenal’s B team can cause 99 per cent of the sides in this league a problem. That’s how good they are as a squad.’
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Article source: https://metro.co.uk/2026/01/06/harry-redknapp-backs-arsenal-star-dominate-liverpool-title-test-26114880/