Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Manchester United last weekend and next up, they have another high-intensity clash against league leaders Arsenal.
The Anfield outfit are just one point behind Arsenal on the Premier League table so if they can win at home on Saturday then Klopp’s men will move to the top of the table.
Liverpool are undefeated in their last 13 home matches against Arsenal across all competitions but they have not been able to beat the Gunners in their previous two meetings. The Reds did come up with a proper response to their draw against Man United by thumping five goals past West Ham United in the EFL Cup in midweek.
Arsenal, however, are a totally different beast but since Liverpool will be playing at home, their fans won’t accept anything other than a win. Jurgen Klopp will also put out his players on the pitch, hoping to pick up all three points but realistically speaking, even a draw won’t be a bad result for them.
Liverpool’s team news and injuries:
The likes of Thiago Alcantara, Andy Robertson and Joel Matip are all ruled out with various injuries but Ryan Gravenberch will return to the matchday squad.
The midfielder has escaped a major injury setback and he was not used in midweek so we expect him to be fully fit and available for selection against Arsenal.
Talking about Ryan’s injury, Klopp had said earlier this week: ‘We thought there was really something [when] he came off. But he had a scan, and it’s only DOMS, which is fatigue, so that’s a really good thing. He will train hopefully today, let’s see where he is.’
Alexis Mac Allister still remains sidelined with a knee injury and the South American is not going to be fit in time to face the Gunners.
The manager has updated: ‘He doesn’t have pain anymore, which is a good thing. It was worse than we first thought, but he is progressing well. In the New Year, that is possible.’
Mac Allister’s absence means Endo will hold onto his place in central midfield with Szoboszlai and Gravenberch playing in slightly advanced roles.
Mo Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz all started on the bench against West Ham so they will come back into the starting line up but Diogo Jota is still ruled out with a hamstring injury.
The forward has returned to individual training but we don’t expect to see them in action before the new year.
The Liverpool manager has said: ‘Diogo is doing ball work on the pitch, so that is getting closer and closer. But always with hamstring injuries, you have to be careful; we always say when they come back, give them another two or three days for sure.’
Cody Gakpo led the line in midweek but with Salah and Diaz coming back, Gakpo is going to go back to the bench for the Arsenal game.
Liverpool predicted line up vs Arsenal:
Predicted Starting line up(4-3-3): Alisson; Van Dijk, Konate, Tsimikas, TAA; Endo, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz, Nunez, Mo Salah.
