Mark Lawrenson predicts Liverpool will see off Arsenal this weekend

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Former Liverpool defender, Mark Lawrenson, has predicted his former club will get the job done when they face Arsenal in Premier League action this weekend.

The Gunners entertain the Reds on their return from international duty. Jurgen Klopp’s men are looking to stay in the race for the top four, while Mikel Arteta is simply looking for his team to keep improving.

Both teams have been in inconsistent form of late, with Liverpool struggling massively. Arsenal, meanwhile, fought back against West Ham last time out and could well come into the game in confident mood.

But Lawrenson, predicting the weekend’s fixtures for BBC Sport, believes Liverpool will have enough to take three points.

“Liverpool cannot really afford to rest anyone here, even though Jurgen Klopp would probably like to. They need a win to stay close to Chelsea, who are in fourth place, and I think they will get it,” Lawro said before predicting a 2-1 scoreline.

Liverpool won the corresponding fixture at Anfield 3-1 earlier in the campaign. That day, Arsenal took the lead, before goals from Mane, Robertson, and Jota ensured the comeback win.

TBR View: Arsenal will fancy it but Liverpool need the win, as Lawro says

And that could be the difference here. We see it so many times in the final quarter of the season, where teams win out simply because they have something riding on the game.

Arsenal’s hopes of Champions League football rest on winning the Europa League. The top four is pretty much done with for them.

Liverpool, though, can still sneak in and rescue a miserable season. A win this weekend, then, would go a long way to helping.