Liverpool vs Arsenal: Predicted Lineups, Injury News and Match Predictions

The Premier League serves up a huge encounter this weekend as Liverpool host Arsenal at Anfield, with two of English football's biggest clubs going head-to-head.

Arsenal arrive knowing that a positive result could strengthen their position at the top of the table, while Liverpool will be looking to use home advantage to close the gap on the league leaders.

There is plenty of intrigue surrounding the team selections, with both managers having important injury decisions to make. Liverpool are hoping to have some key players available, while Arsenal could be without several influential names.

With attacking quality across both squads, this has all the ingredients to be an entertaining contest.

Liverpool's predicted lineup sees Andoni Iraola stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, giving his side plenty of attacking options while retaining a solid midfield base.

Araújo is expected to continue to fill in at right-back with Liverpool missing natural options in that position. Jacquet partners Van Dijk in central defence, with Kerkez completing the back four.

Gravenberch and Mac Allister form an exciting midfield partnership. Both are capable of progressing the ball, controlling possession and helping Liverpool move quickly into attacking positions.

The biggest attraction is undoubtedly the front four. Barcola brings pace and direct running from the left, Wirtz operates between the lines as the creative number 10, and Gakpo provides another dangerous attacking option from the right.

Isak leads the line and will be looking to continue his excellent goalscoring form. His movement, finishing and ability to link up with the players around him make him a major threat to Arsenal.

One notable omission from our predicted XI is Dominik Szoboszlai, who is a doubt with a hamstring problem. Victor Munoz is another player whose availability remains uncertain.

Raya starts in goal, with Timber and Calafiori providing options from full-back. Konsa partners Gabriel in the centre of defence, offering a physically strong defensive partnership.

The midfield trio is particularly interesting. Bruno Guimarães, Ødegaard and Rice would give Arsenal a combination of creativity, control and defensive protection and seems to be Arteta's preferred trio. Ødegaard would be the main creative influence, while Rice offers the ability to cover ground and break up opposition attacks.

Guimarães adds another dimension, with his passing range and ability to dictate the tempo potentially crucial against Liverpool's pressing game.

The front three is where all the question marks are for the Gunners.

Eze offers creativity and the ability to beat defenders, Gyökeres provides the physical presence and goalscoring threat through the middle, while Madueke brings pace and directness from the right.

There are, however, some significant absences to consider. Bukayo Saka remains unavailable with a quadriceps injury, while William Saliba is still miss out with a back problem.

Madueke is also a doubt after an ankle issue, although he has been working towards being available. Rice and Calafiori have returned to training and are expected to be in contention.

Liverpool have several players dealing with injuries ahead of the Arsenal clash.

Dominik Szoboszlai is one of the biggest concerns. The Hungarian midfielder has struggled with a hamstring problem and remains a doubt, although Liverpool are hopeful he could be available.

Victor Munoz is another potential returnee, having been sidelined with a knee issue. Both players are being assessed ahead of the match.

The confirmed absentees include:

Giovanni Leoni: Knee injury.

Hugo Ekitike: Achilles injury.

Conor Bradley: Knee injury.

Jeremie Frimpong: Thigh injury.

Florian Wirtz also had an ankle scare following Liverpool's recent victory over Brighton, but he recovered to feature against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and is expected to be available.

The return of Isak, Wirtz and Barcola to the starting lineup would be a significant boost for Liverpool's attacking prospects.

Arsenal also have some major selection issues heading into the trip to Anfield.

Bukayo Saka is the biggest absence. The England international is dealing with a quadriceps injury and is expected to miss the match, leaving Arteta without one of his most important attacking players.

William Saliba is another major concern, with the defender expected to remain unavailable because of a back problem.

Madueke's fitness is also being monitored after an ankle issue. His availability could be particularly important given Saka's absence and Max Dowman's suspension.

There is more positive news in midfield and defence, with Rice and Calafiori returning to training and expected to be involved.

Arsenal's confirmed or expected absentees include:

Bukayo Saka: Quadriceps injury.

William Saliba: Back injury.

Christos Tzolis: Hamstring injury.

Max Dowman: Suspended following his Carabao Cup red card.

Madueke remains a fitness doubt, while Rice and Calafiori are expected to be available.

The most fascinating part of this fixture could be the midfield battle.

Liverpool's double pivot of Gravenberch and Mac Allister will need to deal with Arsenal's three-man midfield. If Guimarães, Ødegaard and Rice can establish control, Arsenal could dictate the tempo and limit Liverpool's opportunities to attack quickly.

However, Liverpool have the attacking players to punish any space left behind.

Wirtz operating between the lines could be particularly dangerous, especially if Arsenal's midfielders are drawn towards the ball. Barcola and Gakpo will also look to exploit the spaces around Arsenal's full-backs.

For Arsenal, Eze and Madueke will need to provide width and creativity, while Gyökeres will be expected to occupy the Liverpool centre-backs and turn chances into goals. He could start over Kai Havertz due to the lack of wing options, and Havertz seems the only realistic player to play off the right, and with Madueke battling injury, Havertz could revert to the bench.

Liverpool's biggest advantage could be Anfield. Arsenal have struggled to win there in recent years, and the home crowd could play a major role if the match becomes an intense, end-to-end contest.

Liverpool enter the fixture with momentum, having won five consecutive matches across all competitions. Their recent victories over Brentford and Brighton have helped them build confidence, while their midweek Carabao Cup success against Chelsea provided another positive result.

Arsenal have enjoyed an impressive Premier League campaign, winning seven of their first eight league matches. However, their confidence took a hit after a shock Carabao Cup elimination against League Two side Fleetwood Town.

The Gunners will be desperate to respond against one of their biggest rivals.

History also favours Liverpool at Anfield. Arsenal have not won a Premier League match at the ground since 2012, making Sunday's trip another major challenge for Arteta's side.

This is an incredibly difficult fixture to call, but Liverpool's home advantage could prove decisive.

Arsenal have been the more consistent Premier League side this season, and their midfield has the quality to cause Liverpool problems. However, the absence of Saka and Saliba could be significant, and with the lack of attacking options and poor Anfield record, Liverpool look slight favourites.

Liverpool's predicted attacking combination of Barcola, Wirtz, Gakpo and Isak looks capable of causing serious damage, particularly if Arsenal leave space between their defensive and midfield lines.