Former Liverpool striker David Ngog believes his old club hold a slight edge over Arsenal ahead of this weekend’s heavyweight Premier League clash while tipping Alexander Isak as a potential star signing for the Reds.
Ngog, who made 94 appearances for Liverpool and famously netted a winner against Manchester United, spoke exclusively to Showmax Premier League in the build-up to Sunday’s showdown at Anfield.
“I would love to see Isak at Liverpool,” Ngog said. “He has good movement and technique; a real complete striker. Liverpool are a bit short on the bench offensively, so it could be a good signing. The only factor is that he plays in the same position as Hugo Ekitiké, but the season is long, and both players can be used.”
Liverpool v Arsenal: Clash of Early Title Contenders
Turning his attention to this weekend’s blockbuster, Ngog sees the meeting with Arsenal as a litmus test for Liverpool under new manager Arne Slot.
“For sure, they will be tested against Arsenal. They are one of the top teams in Europe at the moment and very ambitious. They’ve won their first two games and built a team to win the Premier League,” Ngog said.
However, he believes home advantage could prove decisive: “I think Liverpool, playing at Anfield, has a slight advantage. They also won the Premier League last season, so they can build on that. Arsenal still has everything to prove. My prediction is 2-1 to Liverpool.”
Slot’s Impressive Start
Ngog reserved praise for Slot, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp in the summer and has overseen a positive start to the campaign.
“It’s never easy to follow a successful season,” he said. “They have shown mental strength in critical situations. Arne Slot impresses me – he came with humility and hard work, and I’m happy it’s working well for him and Liverpool.”
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Title Race Outlook
Despite Liverpool’s strong opening, Ngog remains cautious about the title race:
“I think they are contenders. When you look at Arsenal, Manchester City, and maybe Chelsea, it will be a close race. The Premier League is long, so it’s too early to say, but Liverpool can be there.”
Memories of Facing Arsenal
Ngog also reflected on his own time at Anfield and what it meant to face the Gunners.
“It was a fantastic feeling – the jersey, the fans, the stadium. The pressure was always on, especially against big teams like Arsenal. I liked playing them because the game was open. They try to play offensively, not just defend, so it was always nice.”
Praise for Ekitiké
Ngog also hailed current Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitiké as a rising French talent:
“He has great mobility; he’s good with the ball and a good finisher. He can improve physically, but that will come. I think he is doing well for Liverpool.”
Anthony Nlebem
Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.