Date: Sunday 4th February, 2024
Time: 5:30 pm
Stadium Emirates Stadium
Referee Anthony Taylor (England)
Goal Scorer:
Arsenal
Jurrien Timber and Fabio Vieira were the expected absentees for this clash, with the former still a long way off returning to action following his ACL injury earlier in the season. The latter may have built some fitness lately, especially during Arsenal’s trip to Dubai. But he remains out for the time being.
Despite Thomas Partey resuming training last week, Mikel Arteta has revealed the midfielder has had a setback after he felt something in the same area. Hence, the Ghanaian remains out for the Liverpool encounter, meaning the Arsenal manager must rely on his current options.
Kai Havertz started from the bench in midweek, which saw Emile Smith Rowe make the first Premier League start in a long time. That decision was a hint at the German starting against Liverpool on Sunday, with Arteta likely to keep him, Declan Rice and Martin Odegard in the midfield three.
The rest of the squad will likely stay intact, with Gabriel Jesus set to lead the line for the Gunners. Saka and Gabriel Martinelli will provide the wide options, while Arsenal will stock a strong bench consisting of Jorginho, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard, Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Ben White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Liverpool
While Jurgen Klopp mentioned having a good number of players available for selection, there are still multiple problems for the manager to deal with. Following the Chelsea game, there are some doubts over a few of the starters in that clash, including Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez.
The Argentine suffered a knock in the closing stages, and Nunez reportedly left the stadium in a protective boot, as per Klopp. The manager did cast doubt over the striker’s participation, as the Uruguayan’s absence could force him to shuffle his pack.
Mohamed Salah also remains absent as he has yet to recover from a hamstring problem he suffered during the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt. Diogo Jota has done an excellent job in the Egytian’s absence. But if Nunez is absent, the Portuguese may come under pressure to take on the attacking burden. For now, one should assume both Jota and Nunez start, along with Mac Allister, at the Emirates.
Meanwhile, Klopp has a real conundrum about replacing Conor Bradley, who scored once and provided two assists in the win over Chelsea. Even though Trent Alexander-Arnold has regained his fitness, there are questions about whether the manager would bring his star right-back at Bradley’s expense. Still, given the importance of the game, the England international might start after all.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones; Jota, Nunez, Diaz
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
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