Date and Time: 21st January 2022 @1:15 AM IST
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Arsenal vs Liverpool Where to watch?
India: Voot
Arsenal vs Liverpool Team News:
Arsenal:
Mikel Arteta will be limited of choices on Thursday, notably in central midfield, due to several first-team absentees to cope with. Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Cedric Soares, and Caleb Chambers are all questionable for the match due to injury or exhaustion, while Sead Kolasinac has left the club to sign a permanent contract with Marseille.
Following his expulsion in the first game, Xhaka will serve a one-match ban, while Martin Odegaard could miss the second leg due to Coronavirus. In the meantime, Nicolas Pepe, Thomas Partey, and Mohamed Elneny are all abroad at the African Nations Championship (AFCON), while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has returned to England after cardiac lesions caused by COVID-19 and will undergo testing to determine the extent of his injuries.
Given that Albert Sambi Lokonga is the only recognised centre-midfielder available to Arteta, the Spaniard may be forced to rely on Ben White to operate just in front of the back four, with Rob Holding and Gabriel Magalhaes perhaps forming a defensive partnership in the middle of the park.
Liverpool:
When it comes to Liverpool, Thiago Alcantara is out with a hip injury, Harvey Elliott is out with an ankle injury, and Nat Phillips is out with a cheekbone fracture, all while Salah, Sadio Mane, and Naby Keita are all away at the Africa Cup of Nations. Divock Origi has been in training this week but is still uncertain due to a knee injury, while Oxlade-Chamberlain, a former Arsenal midfielder, will be checked before the start after bruising his ankle in the victory against Brentford.
Klopp may make one or two changes to his starting lineup, with Minamino anticipated returning to the first XI if Oxlade-Chamberlain is ruled out, joining Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota in a three-man attack. Klopp may make one or two changes to his starting lineup. Several defensive options are available to the German should he decide to change his back four, with Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez, and Kostas Tsimikas all being considered, while either Curtis Jones or James Milner are expected to be selected in central midfield alongside Fabinho and Jordan Henderson.
Arsenal vs Liverpool Probable Playing XI:
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Ramsdale; Calum Chambers, Rob Holding, Gabriel, Kieran Tierney; Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Lokonga, Gabriel Martinelli; Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Curtis Jones; Minamino, Roberto Firmino, Diego Jota
Arsenal vs Liverpool Betting Predictions:
Match Betting: Arsenal win (3.60)
Draw (3.60)
Liverpool win (2.00)
The One-Liner Explainer:
When compared to Liverpool, who are missing numerous key players, Arsenal is incredibly weak on the ground, especially in midfield. If this match is played as scheduled, Arsenal might find themselves exposed by Klopp’s men. Three goals over the weekend will give the Reds confidence that they can penetrate the Gunners’ backline at the second time of asking in midweek, and they may just be able to do so enough to advance to next month’s EFL Cup final if they can hold off their opponents.
