Full Liverpool squad available as duo for Arsenal return but midfield doubts
Liverpool meet Premier League leaders Arsenal this afternoon
Jurgen Klopp faces a crucial decision regarding his team selection as he seeks to lead Liverpool to three points at the expense of Arsenal.
Saturday’s results did the Reds absolutely no favors. Manchester United, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur all won, further underscoring the need for Liverpool to mind their own business in the Premier League.
With a side so eager to win the title, it will ensure the Reds have little room for error when they take to the pitch at Anfield this afternoon as Arsenal aim to continue their relentless pursuit of supreme glory.
The silver lining for Klopp’s side ahead of this competition is that Virgil van Dijk and Thiago Alcantara will return to the starting XI, the latter having missed the last 10 games in all competitions. Luis Diaz won’t take any chances but is ready to return to action against Leeds United on Monday. In the meantime, it remains to be seen whether Naby Keita has recovered from his muscle problem.
Liverpool manager Klopp provided an update on the availability of the aforementioned first-team options on Friday, telling reporters: “Virgil, wholly normal, is back in training. Luis and Thiago are training completely normally. The plan with Luis is that he will be 100% available for Leeds. It looks good, everything is fine, but it was a long, long injury so you have to be careful. We probably won’t include it on Sunday.
“Thiago looks a bit different. He hasn’t been out that long, has trained with the team three or four times now and could be available. But we have to see how he feels today. “
Here is the full Liverpool squad likely to be available to Arsenal barring any late issues. Portieri: Adrian, Alisson Becker, Caoimhin Kelleher.
Difensori: Andy Robertson, Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas, Nat Phillips, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk.
Centrocampisti: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arthur Melo, Curtis Jones, Fabinho, Fabio Carvalho, Harvey Elliott, James Milner, Jordan Henderson.
Forwards: Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah.
Sidelined: Calvin Ramsay, Luis Diaz, Naby Keita, Stefan Bajcetic.
Also…
Liverpool vs Arsenal preview: Predictions, team news and lineup
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal invite an important day in the Premier League title race as they travel to Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners answered Man City’s call last week as they beat Leeds 4-1 at the Emirates after the Citizens beat contemporary rivals Liverpool by the same scoreline at the midday kick-off.
That leaves Arsenal eight points behind at the top, having played one game more than City. Many believe Arteta’s side will be on course for the league title if they claim their first win at Anfield since 2012 on Sunday.
It’s been a dismal season for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds after coming so close to winning the treble last season. Their last hope of salvaging something from this season is a top four finish, but that seems unlikely at the moment after Man Utd and Newcastle were victorious in midweek.
Liverpool enter Sunday’s clash eighth and ten points behind United in fourth.
Arsenal won’t have a better chance of breaking their Anfield curse, but only Leeds have beaten Klopp’s side on Merseyside in the Premier League this season. It will certainly not be child’s play for the league leaders.
Liverpool vs Arsenal preview: Predictions, team news and rosters
Here’s our preview of the Gunners’ visit to Anfield on Sunday afternoon. How to watch Liverpool vs Arsenal on TV
When is the kick off? sunday april 9
When is the kick off? 4:30 p.m. (CET)
Where is the game played? Anfield
TV channel/live stream? Sky Sports Main Event, SKY GO Extra, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Premier League (UK), SiriusXM FC, Peacock (USA), fuboTV (Canada)
Arbitrator? Paul Teeny
Liverpool team news
Klopp has made a number of changes ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Stamford Bridge this week, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson both expected to return to the XI. Virgil van Dijk was also expected to recover from an illness in time for Arsenal’s visit to partner Ibrahima Konate at centre-back.
Thiago could return from a long-term injury in midfield, while Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez are confident they can start from the Reds’ front row. They will likely be joined by Cody Gakpo.
Luis Diaz is on course for a comeback, but this game comes too soon for his full comeback. Stefan Bajcetic remains out.
Arsenal team news
There are no fresh injury concerns for the visitors but they will have to miss William Saliba for the third time in succession as he continues to harbor a back injury. Then Rob Holding continues into the XI.
Bukayo Saka returns to the squad after dropping to the bench last time out, with Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard battling for the last place in Arteta’s top three.
The formations expected for Liverpool-Arsenal
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konata, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Elliott; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez.
Arsenal: Ramsdale; White, Tenant, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli.
Liverpool’s recent form
Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (04/04) – Premier League
Manchester City 4-1 Liverpool (01/04) – Premier League
Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool (15/03) – Champions League
Bournemouth 1-0 Liverpool (11/03) – Premier League
Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United (05/03) – Premier League
Arsenal’s current form
Arsenal 4-1 Leeds Utd (01/04) – Premier League
Arsenal 4-1 Crystal Palace (19/03) – Premier League
Arsenal 1-1 (3-5p) Sporting CP (16/03) – Europa League
Fulham 0-3 Arsenal (12/03) – Premier League
Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal (09/03) – Europa League
forecast
There is no doubt that the Gunners have what it takes to claim their first victory at Liverpool in over a decade this weekend. Visitors can exploit vulnerable hosts in multiple ways.
However, I just have a bad conscience about this one. The Reds’ form at home remains impressive and Anfield fans will be ready for battle on Sunday as it will be Liverpool’s first home game in over a month. Visitors won’t crumble under a magnifying glass like they have in recent years, but I imagine there are arguments against it. Liverpool always have a knack for showing up when needed and I think they will do Man City a favor this weekend.
3 reasons Arsenal could finally end their Anfield curse this weekend
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal