Arsenal vs Liverpool Referee Stats: Card-happy Anthony Taylor may benefit the Reds

 

The game of the weekend in the Premier League comes from the Emirates as Arsenal welcome Liverpool in Sunday’s showdown. In what could prove a decisive clash in the title race, injury-hit Arsenal will seek to claim all the spoils when they host Liverpool today, but it won’t be plain-sailing for the Gunners. 

 

 

Already without William Saliba owing to a ban following his red card at Bournemouth last week, Riccardo Calafiori is also absent. Jurrien Timber and Bukayo Saka face late fitness tests, though the duo have been pictured with the first team squad ahead of the game against Liverpool. 

 

The Reds have injury concerns of their own with Diogo Jota absent, meaning Darwin Nunez should deputise on the frontline for Arne Slot’s side. Alisson again misses out, though Caoimhin Kelleher has proven a solid stand in for the Brazilian. Liverpool are the only team to have won every away game in the Premier League this season, and it’s a record that will be put to the test in north London. 

 

The man in the middle may prove beneficial to Liverpool today, however. Anthony Taylor is the referee for Arsenal’s game against Liverpool in north London, and that doesn’t bode well for a Gunners side that has received more red cards (3) than any other team in the Premier League this season. 

 

 

Taylor has sent off an Arsenal player six times in his career, a return 0.13 red cards per Arsenal game he has officiated. Liverpool (3) rank second for the number of times they have had a player sent off by Taylor, but it’s that return for Arsenal that will have supporters concerned. 

 

Conversely, though, Arsenal have seen an opposition player sent by Taylor five times in the referee’s career, the joint-most under the official. Liverpool (4) rank fourth for this particular metric. The Gunners also have a 70.8% win ratio and have picked up an average of 2.33 points per game in the 24 home matches overseen by Taylor, while Liverpool’s away win ratio is just 41.7% from 36 games the 46-year-old has officiated.

Arsenal vs Liverpool Referee Stats: Card-happy Anthony Taylor may benefit the Reds