Liverpool v Arsenal: Sterling and Cazorla to mark the occasion

The headline pre-Christmas fixture from the Premier League is Arsenal’s visit to Liverpool and being live on Sky Sports there’s no reason not to enjoy the game with a few carefully-selected wagers.

Here at News.Ladbrokes towers we are having some trouble picking a winner though.

Following defeat to Manchester United for Liverpool a week ago, while Arsenal had been busy putting four past Newcastle, the 6/4-rated Gunners looked good value for an Anfield win.

However, a rousing midweek League Cup quarter-final triumph for 9/5 shots Liverpool has altered that thinking, with a draw possibly being the pick at 12/5.

Here are three other ways to bet on the big one instead:

Over 2.5 total goals @ 8/11

This bet would have landed in both of Liverpool’s last two and all of Arsenal’s last three games, while matches between these two behemoths of English football are usually fruitful in the goals department.

Including the 5-1 thrashing handed out to the Londoners at Anfield last season, four of six most recent dust-ups have surpassed this marker.

Partly due to injury, neither side can settle on a consistent defensive unit and this only adds to the likelihood of a few goals.

Raheem Sterling to score @ 2/1

Comparisons to Alexis Sanchez by Brendan Rodgers have to be tempered by the fact Sterling’s brace came against Bournemouth in midweek.

Nevertheless, cast in his new striker role, the way the Real Madrid target exorcised his Old Trafford demons with two clinical finishes was mightily impressive.

And up against the leaden legs of Per Mertesacker, Sterling’s movement alone is likely to present himself with further chances to add to his seasonal tally of five.

Santi Cazorla to score @ 10/3

Within Arsenal’s ranks there are more obvious candidates than Cazorla, though at far worse prices given the Spaniard’s mini purple patch.

The diminutive forward has notched three in his last two top-flight games and has also netted in two other appearances against Liverpool.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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