Liverpool XI and Arsenal XI: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest today
Both Liverpool and Arsenal have had an unusually successful season thus far, helped no doubt by the surprise defeat of reigning champions Manchester City. Although Jurgen Klopp’s Reds haven’t scored as many goals as his past sides have, as shown by their thumping of West Ham in the middle of the week, they have the ability to become unplayable when the right opportunity arises.
After the boisterous mayhem of the previous year’s title challenge, Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal also seem remarkably tight. Instead, they often steal late victories in close games, which many consider to be the hallmark of champions. Arsenal takes on Liverpool Thursday evening in a crucial top-of-the-table matchup, and Mikel Arteta may start an unchanged lineup for the third straight Premier League game.
For the first time since Arteta’s injury in 2012, the Gunners are hoping to win at Anfield. Although not with the eleven players who started their previous two League games, Arsenal has a few fitness issues.
Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Fabio Vieira (groin), and Jurrien Timber (knee) are anticipated to be sidelined. Due to a foot issue, midfielder Jorginho missed Sunday’s victory against Brighton. He will be evaluated before the trip to Anfield.
With a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since October, Thomas Partey is eager to play during the holiday season, but today’s match will come too soon.
With a victory on Saturday, Arsenal, who presently leads the Premier League, can increase their lead over Liverpool to four points. Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) was hoping to exercise on Friday afternoon and might be included in the squad.
Arteta stated, “Thomas Partey is still finishing up his rehab.” “He hasn’t yet participated in team training. Hopefully, Mo Elneny will join us this afternoon so we can find out his thoughts. Nothing new for the others. Jorginho is uncertain.”
ARSENAL: Mikel Arteta may start an unchanged lineup for the third straight Premier League game this evening as Arsenal travels to Liverpool in a crucial top-of-the-table match. Thomas Partey and Jorginho are both working quickly to return to health before the new year. For the first time since Arteta’s injury in 2012, the Gunners are hoping to win at Anfield.
Although not with the eleven players who started their previous two League games, Arsenal has a few fitness issues. Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Fabio Vieira (groin), and Jurrien Timber (knee) are anticipated to be sidelined. Due to a foot issue, midfielder Jorginho missed Sunday’s victory against Brighton. He will be evaluated before the trip to Anfield.
With a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since October, Thomas Partey is eager to play during the holiday season, but today’s match will come too soon. With a victory on Saturday, Arsenal, who presently leads the Premier League, can increase their lead over Liverpool to four points. Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) was hoping to exercise on Friday afternoon and might be included in the squad.
Arteta stated, “Thomas Partey is still finishing up his rehab.” “He hasn’t yet participated in team training. Hopefully, Mo Elneny will join us this afternoon so we can find out his thoughts. Nothing new for the others. Jorginho is uncertain.”
Arsenal (4-3-3) predicted lineup: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Injuries: Timber’s knee, Tomiyasu’s leg, and Vieira’s groin, Elneny’s hamstring, Jorginho’s foot, and Partey’s thigh all in doubt.
The Arsenal team is made up of the following players: Havertz, Jorginho, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Smith Rowe; Jesus, Martinelli, Nelson, Nketiah, Saka, and Trossard; Gabriel, Cedric, Kiwior, Saliba, White, and Zinchenko.
LIVERPOOL: Darwin Nunez appears destined to start up front for Liverpool against Arsenal in today’s Premier League title match. As the Reds crushed West Ham in the Carabao Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday night, the Uruguayan was scoreless for the eleventh consecutive game, but Jurgen Klopp claimed that any narrative regarding the striker’s position in the club is untrue.
“I think we’re second in the league right now, which is not that bad, but because we have to talk about ourselves all the time, you make up stories, and then after a 0-0 [against Manchester United] we start talking about who isn’t scoring, the front line isn’t clicking, and stuff like that,” he said to reporters.
When I look at the headlines, I sometimes think, ‘Oh my God,’ even though I’ve been assured on occasion that what I’m reading is a narrative. I truly feel sorry for each of you since you have to invent these tales.”
Although Klopp scored in the middle of the week while starting as the central striker, he is probably going to stick with his first-choice starters when Arsenal visits. The crucial concerns are in midfield, where Ryan Gravenberch is healthy after taking a break owing to exhaustion. But against West Ham, Curtis Jones was the standout player with two goals.
Although Diogo Jota and Alexis Mac Allister are getting close to returning from injuries, this game will come too soon; Andy Robertson won’t be back until January, and other players like Joel Matip, Thiago, and Stefan Bajcetic are still sidelined for the foreseeable future.
In defense, Jarell Quansah has recently presented a compelling case for staying in the lineup, but in a game this important, it’s possible that the seasoned Ibrahima Konate will partner with Virgil van Dijk.
After both playing during the midweek while Trent Alexander-Arnold was rested, Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas are vying for the starting left back position. Following surgery for a catastrophic knee injury, young winger Ben Doak will likely miss a significant amount of time.
Predicted Liverpool starting lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Alexander-Arnold, Konate; Szoboszlai, Endo, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
INJURIES: Jota, Mac Allister, Matip, Robertson, Bajcetic, Doak, and Tiago are among the injured.
Time and date: Saturday, December 23, 2023, 5:30 p.m. GMT
Location: Anfield
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