Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold has heaped praise on Declan Rice and his Arsenal teammates for how they have managed to win games so far this season.
The Reds host the Gunners in a blockbuster showdown on Saturday evening to decide who will top the Premier League table heading into Christmas. Arsenal currently lead the standings on 39 points, with Liverpool in third place on 38 points and with a slightly superior goal difference.
After just falling short in their pursuit of the title last season, Arsenal have looked rejuvenated this term, with club-record signing Rice proving to be one of the best players in the Premier League since moving across London.
Ahead of Saturday’s encounter, Alexander-Arnold admitted he has been impressed not just by Rice, but how Arsenal have adapted to chalk up points this campaign.
“Whether it is him [Rice] or how they adapted, I feel they have gone up a level this season,” Alexander-Arnold said.
“They’re very consistent and they are winning in a controlled manner. It is different to how we are winning a lot of games. A couple of our games have been last minute, or down to ten men, winning in different ways.
“It feels like they are winning in a different way. He has been a big part of that. I have shared the pitch with him with England and know what he offers and brings to a team. You can see it in how he plays; breaking up the play, getting the team up the pitch and a lot of the dirty work.
“They are a young, exciting team who last year probably lacked experience winning, more than anything. That’s quite similar to what we were in that season when we were nipped to it by City by one point.
“Those experiences teach you a lot. It teaches you how to win. They will be bringing that from last season and it is showing in their consistency. They deserve to be near the top. So do we. It will be an exciting game.”
Liverpool relinquished control of top spot after being held to a 0-0 draw by Manchester United last Sunday, though returned to winning ways with an emphatic 5-1 win against West Ham United in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in midweek.
Arsenal, meanwhile, beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 in their last Premier League outing, but head to Merseyside looking for a first win at Anfield since September 2012.
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