Liverpool only have two definite injury absentees for the weekend visit of Arsenal, but will Arne Slot start Alexis Mac Allister?
The Reds face a big test at Anfield, taking on a Gunners side who many feel are the greatest threat to their Premier League title defence.
Bukayo Saka is unavailable for Arsenal, in a big blow for the visitors, while Martin Odegaard is in doubt.
As for Liverpool, here’s who is available and who is set to miss out against Arsenal:
- Alexis Mac Allister (unknown) – available
- Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) – out
- Stefan Bajcetic (hamstring) – out
- Kostas Tsimikas (transfer) – out
Jeremie Frimpong is still out for Liverpool. The Dutchman won’t be back until after the September international break, as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
Stefan Bajcetic is also still absent, while Kostas Tsimikas is set to complete a loan move to Roma for the rest of the season.
Conor Bradley has trained all week and is in contention to start for Liverpool, following a late cameo in the 3-2 win at Newcastle on Monday night.
That said, Dominik Szoboszlai‘s impressive performance at right-back gives Slot a selection headache, in terms of risking an undercooked Bradley or not.
Meanwhile, Alexis Mac Allister missed out at St James’ Park, but Slot has confirmed that the Argentine is back in training ahead of a game of great magnitude.
“Mac Allister started training again,” Slot said on Friday, adding: “I don’t think we had any injury coming out of that game [at Newcastle].”
The rest of Liverpool’s team picks itself, although big improvements are needed from the out-of-form Ibrahima Konate alongside Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds’ captain is “okay,” according to Slot, following Anthony Gordon’s shocking tackle on him.
Milos Kerkez hasn’t wholly convinced yet, so Liverpool’s new vice-captain Andy Robertson could inject experience, but the Hungarian is likely to start at left-back.
If Mac Allister does return, Curtis Jones is likely to be the man to make way, with Ryan Gravenberch and Florian Wirtz rightly keeping their places in the team.
Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike should again make up the attack – here’s hoping that Alexander Isak is an option after the internationals!
Liverpool’s available squad vs. Arsenal
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvilli, Woodman
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Leoni, Bradley, Kerkez, Robertson
Midfielders: Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones, Endo, Elliott, Nyoni
Forwards: Wirtz, Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike, Chiesa, Ngumoha
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