Arsenal vs Liverpool: Jan Molby on why it is the best time for Jurgen Klopp's side to face Gunners

Liverpool are facing Arsenal in their first match of the 2016/17 Premier League season and the former Reds midfielder Jan Molby believes the clash has come at the right time for Jurgen Klopp's side. He claims the Gunners are "under-cooked" due to the unavailability of quality players amid a defensive injury crisis.

Arsene Wenger is already without first choice centre-back Laurent Koscielny and striker Olivier Giroud due to the France international star's involvement in the Euro 2016, where their side lost to Portugal in the final. The duo were offered an extended holiday and lack match fitness to face the Merseyside club.

In addition to this, Arsenal are also without the services of two central defenders, Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista, as the two are on the sidelines with injuries. The north London side suffered defeats on the opening day in the last two seasons at the hands of Aston Villa and West Ham United respectively.

Molby believes their past record of starting the season at a slower pace and lack of quality players in the squad makes it the best time for Liverpool to face them in the league at the Emirates.

"If you are going to play a top club away from home on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season then you want it to be Arsenal," Molby told the Liverpool Echo.

"I think Sunday is a good time for Liverpool to be going to the Emirates. Arsenal are without a number of key players, especially defensively, and from what I've seen they look under-cooked.

"They have been vulnerable at home early on in the season in recent years with West Ham and Aston Villa recording wins there and I just think Liverpool will cause Arsenal a lot of problems.

"Liverpool look ready for action. Against Barcelona last weekend Jurgen Klopp's side were full of energy and pace. It's tough having the first three league games away due to the completion of the building work at Anfield. But the last time that happened in 1987/88 it didn't do us any harm so hopefully that's a good omen.

"Klopp will want Liverpool to be right in amongst it from the start. You don't want to be playing catch-up like last season. I think he will be bold with his team selection at the Emirates. He will want Liverpool to play on the front foot."