Interview

Kolasinac - How we can counter Liverpool's pace

Liverpool may visit us on Friday with the Premier League’s leading goalscorer in Mohamed Salah, but Sead Kolasinac knows what must be done to contain the fleet-footed forward and his team-mates.

The Egypt international tops the domestic charts with 14 goals, while Roberto Firmino and Phillipe Coutinho have chipped in with six and five strikes respectively.

And although Kolasinac is aware the Reds will provide a stern test, the 24-year-old is prepared to combat their pace.

“Firstly they made a really good transfer in getting Mohamed Salah,” he told Arsenal Player. “He’s integrated quickly and has scored a lot of goals and given a lot of assists too. When you look at the four they have in attack and see the players they have on the bench, they are all quality. They all have a lot of pace. 

“If you know someone is faster than you, don’t give them any space, get tight and prevent them from having an opportunity to use their pace. That will be decisive. If their front players are able to utilise their speed, it will be tough to catch them. Before they get on the ball, we need to be tight to them.

“I’ve followed Liverpool because Joel Matip is a good friend of mine. As a team, they work well and that’s why it will be a difficult task for us to beat them on Friday.”