Clinton Morrison believes Arsenal have a player who would definitely start in a key position for Liverpool right now.
The Gunners travel to the north-west to face Arne Slot’s men on Sunday in an early-season Premier League title race six-pointer.
Mikel Arteta’s team ran out comfortable winners over Leeds in their last fixture, meaning they head to Anfield with maximum points from their opening two games.
Both teams have spent a lot of money this summer, and a number of these new signings will be on display on Merseyside for the pivotal showdown.
Clinton Morrison picks Riccardo Calafiori in Liverpool x Arsenal combined XI
Arsenal have spent in excess of £250 million this summer, bolstering their squad significantly across several different positions.
The likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi have all been acquired for significant fees, and should leave Arteta’s ensemble in a strong place as they look to launch an assault on the title.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have also invested significantly, adding the likes of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong to Slot’s selection of players.
Arguably the two best squads in the league, Clinton Morrison was asked to formulate a combined eleven prior to the clash at Anfield on Sunday.
The former Crystal Palace striker’s most surprising selection was Riccardo Calafiori at left-back, claiming the Italian has been better than Milos Kerkez thus far this season.
“Alisson in goal,” he said on Stan Sports.
“[Jurrien] Timber right-back because I don’t think Liverpool have a right-back that can do what he does.
“[Vigril] Van Dijk, [Willian] Saliba, Calafiori, because I don’t think Kerkez has been good.
“[Ryan] Gravenberch and Declan Rice. I don’t think [Martin] Odegaard has been good, so [Dominik] Szoboszlai is in there. [Bukayo] Saka’s not there because he’s injured, and Mohamed Salah is on the right-hand side.
“I would have tried to fit Saka in if he was fit, I’d put him on the left side instead of [Eberechi] Eze. However, he fits in there because [Mo] Salah has to be in it. Salah’s goals are brilliant, and [Hugo] Ekitike has been better than [Viktor] Gyokeres.”
Riccardo Calafiori shouldn’t start for Arsenal against Liverpool
Calafiori has started the season in fine form and has deservedly started to earn plaudits in the media, with Morrison’s praise an example of that.
Adding an element of unpredictability to Arsenal’s attack, his ability to find space in the final third and roam into dangerous areas makes him a valuable asset for Arteta’s team.
However, the player who signed for the Gunners for £34 million last summer shouldn’t start against Liverpool on Sunday.
If he has a weakness, it’s defending against tricky wingers in isolated wide areas, and these are exactly the sorts of positions Liverpool will try and engineer against him with Mo Salah.
Thus, Arteta should revert to Myles Lewis-Skelly, who may not bring the attacking threat that Calafiori does, but is significantly more astute at dealing with wingers one-on-one.
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