Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool travel to the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night for a Premier League clash against table-topping Arsenal, with pre-season expectations that this could be a title-deciding match now well on the wayside. Arsenal currently sit first in the Premier League table with 48 points from 20 games, boasting a commanding 14-point advantage over fourth-placed Liverpool, who have managed just 34 points.
The Gunners arrive into the fixture on the back of seven consecutive victories across all competitions, including a hard-fought 3-2 win at Bournemouth last weekend. While the goal of retaining the Premier League title appears impossible, Arne Slot and the Reds need a result at the Emirates this week if they are to secure a top four finish this term.
And ahead of the clash, both sides have a few injury concerns to contend with.
Giovanni Leoni
The young Italian defender remains sidelined with a serious knee injury sustained in September, which required ACL surgery. Arne Slot recently confirmed that we won’t be seeing the teenager again this season.
Alexander Isak
Liverpool’s summer signing continues his long-term absence with a broken leg sustained in late December. The striker is not expected to return until late April 2026 at the very earliest.
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian forward remains unavailable due to his participation in the ongoing African Cup of Nations.
Wataru Endo
The Japanese midfielder is recovering from an ankle/foot injury and is not expected to train until mid-January. Endo remains ruled out for the Arsenal fixture but could return later this month.
Hugo Ekitike
While he was included in the matchday squad in the 2-2 draw with Fulham, the Frenchman was eventually ruled out for the clash after an MRI scan found something more than just muscle soreness according to Arne Slot.
It remains to be seen whether the striker will feature vs Arsenal so soon after being rested.
Max Dowman
The 16-year-old Arsenal academy talent remains sidelined with an ankle injury sustained during an Under-21s friendly in December. Dowman is on the mend but his return date remains unknown.
Cristhian Mosquera
Arsenal’s Spanish defender continues his recovery from an ankle problem picked up against Brentford in early December. Mosquera is approximately one month into his rehabilitation and will miss Thursday’s Liverpool fixture, with his expected return date set for January 17 against Nottingham Forest.
Riccardo Calafiori
The Italian international has missed Arsenal’s last three matches due to what manager Mikel Arteta described as a “very awkward” muscular injury. While no further details have been provided on the severity of the issue, Calafiori is almost certain to sit out the visit of Liverpool
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