Liverpool head to Arsenal this evening with at least five players ruled out, though the injury situation is vastly improved within Jurgen Klopp‘s squad.
Victory at the Emirates today would see an eight-point gap open up at the top of the Premier League, with the Reds already sitting five points clear in first.
That is, of course, easier said than done, with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal in excellent form this season – albeit with only three wins in the last nine games.
Klopp saw a 25-man squad work at the AXA Training Centre on Friday, and the majority of those players travelled to north London the following day.
Here who is and isn’t available as Liverpool make the trip to Arsenal.
- Darwin Nunez (foot) – available
- Alexis Mac Allister (knee) – available
- Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone) – available
- Thiago (hip) – available
- Conor Bradley (bereavement) – doubt
- Dominik Szoboszlai (unknown) – doubt
- Mohamed Salah (hamstring) – out
- Joel Matip (ACL) – out
- Wataru Endo (Asian Cup) – out
- Stefan Bajcetic (calf) – out
- Ben Doak (MCL) – out
It is worth starting on a poignant note, with Conor Bradley not expected to be involved following the sad passing of his father, Joe, on Saturday.
The right-back was involved in training on Friday but is now likely to be granted compassionate leave.
Five other players are out including Mohamed Salah, though Wataru Endo will rejoin his team-mates next week after Japan’s shock exit from the Asian Cup.
There has been speculation over the absence of Dominik Szoboszlai, too, due to an unknown issue.
More positive news comes with Darwin Nunez shaking off a foot injury to train, while fears over a knee issue for Alexis Mac Allister were allayed as he took part in Friday’s session.
Thiago and Kostas Tsimikas also joined full training, suggesting that they could soon come into contention for matchdays.
Liverpool’s available squad vs. Arsenal
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Kelleher, Adrian, Mrozek
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Quansah, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Tsimikas*, Bradley**
Midfielders: Szoboszlai***, Mac Allister, Jones, Thiago*, Gravenberch, Elliott, McConnell, Clark
Forwards: Jota, Nunez, Diaz, Gakpo, Gordon
* Doubts after long-term injury
** Expected to miss out on compassionate grounds
*** Speculation over unknown absence
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