This is the Liverpool team news and a predicted lineup as they take on league leaders Arsenal in the only Premier League match this Thursday. The champions take on the champions elect with both teams in good form, undefeated in their last five in the league form wise. The Gunners are aiming to put some distance between themselves and a faltering Manchester City/Aston Villa chasing pack so it is up to the Reds to keep things close at the top.
Liverpool Team News & Predicted Lineup vs Arsenal
How Liverpool Have Lined Up Recently
Alisson is the first-choice goalkeeper with Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk as the centre back pairing. Despite some poor form at times they’ve remained the go-to for the manager with their long time partnership proving too good to replace. The full backs have to change with form anf fitness with Connor Bradley, Milos Kerkez, and Andy Robertson starting there. Jeremi Frimpong’s fitness is up in the air but he last was used as a winger instead of a full-back.
Read More:Arsenal Team News & Predicted Lineup vs Liverpool for January 8
Curts Jones is the base of the midfield in some form, partnering with Ryan Gravenberch or Alexis Mac Allister to free up some of the attackers like Dominik Szoboszlai. Florian Wirtz has played out wide with Szoboszlai on the other wing or through the middle. Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo have started up front with Federico Chiesa also getting minutes.
Liverpool Recent Form & Tactics
Arne Slot has been changing his setup throughout this season as he has stopped the skid of poor form. They play more of a 4-2-3-1 than a 4-3-3 with it often times looking like a 4-5-1 to allow for a better press. The core idea of Slot’s system is similar to his predecessor with an energetic press and full-backs being used to spread the play with the central players attacking the box.
Read More:Liverpool vs Leeds Confirmed Lineups for December 1
After a very poor run in the middle of the term that almost saw the manager get his head on the chopping block, things have turned around recently. The Reds haven’t lost since November 26, a run of nine matches without a defeat. There are some draws in there but the lack of defeats is a positive sign for a squad that couldn’t buy a positive result at one point in time.
Liverpool Team News
According to PremierInjuries, there are five absentees, including the two strikers signed over the summer, leaving Slot without some options up front. Giovanni Leoni is a long-term absentee, Alexander Isak is also injured for a few months, Mo Salah is away at AFCON, while Hugo Ekitike and Wataru Endo are dealing with smaller issues.
Read More:Where Arne Slot Has Gone Wrong at Liverpool, and How He Can Fix It: Opinion
The fixtures are coming at a fast pace with names like Van Dijk, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, and others playing a lot of minutes. The injuries and absences are likely to make it so they have to play anyway, as there aren’t rotation options on the level required for such a big match.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup
GK – Alisson
LB – Andy Robertson
CB – Virgil van Dijk
CB – Ibrahima Konate
RB – Connor Bradley
DM – Curtis Jones
DM – Ryan Gravenberch
AM – Alexis Mac Allister
W – Florian Wirtz
W – Dominik Szoboszlai
ST – Cody Gakpo
Featured Image Credits
IMAGO / motivio