Trent Alexander-Arnold will be hoping to start for the Reds at right-back this evening in the top-of-the-table clash against Arsenal at Anfield, and he says having a full week to prepare for the game is a big plus.
Jurgen Klopp loves having time to spend on the training ground, and the extra recovery time will be vital.
Last week, the Reds had less than an hour to prepare for Southampton, training for just 55 minutes before that game having only just come back from Istanbul and the UEFA Super Cup.
Alexander-Arnold says the luxury of not having a midweek game will be an advantage for the Reds.
Speaking to LiverpoolFC.com, he said: “The manager will say as well that he likes to prepare for a game with a full week. We can go into more detail on the opposition and find out what we want to do and the game plan – it gives us more time.
“Playing three games in a week is tough physically and mentally. All the lads are ready: physically we’re ready, I think mentally we [will be too].”
Arsenal did not play during the week either, but for a team like the Reds, who rely on training even more than most, Alexander-Arnold is right: it will be a big factor in who wins the match.
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With home advantage, too, the Reds are favourites to win the game and get another three points on the board, but it will be a very tough match.
This is perhaps the best Arsenal side Klopp has faced as Reds boss, and the fact his players are still expected by to win almost everyone shows how far the club has come in the last couple of seasons.