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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Arthur Ferridge

Liverpool handed key triple injury boost for Arsenal showdown

Virgil van Dijk has been passed fit to face Arsenal this weekend after he was on the receiving end of a red card challenge from Anthony Gordon.

Liverpool had to fight to extend their perfect start to the Premier League season at 10-man Newcastle on Monday, requiring a 100th-minute winner from Rio Ngumoha to clinch a 3-2 win.

Gordon was dismissed for a late tackle on Van Dijk. He caught the Liverpool centre-back high on his calf, but the Dutchman was able to play on.

Arne Slot has confirmed his captain is fit to face Arsenal, saying: “Virgil [van Dijk] is okay, which is maybe the main thing you would question."

Van Dijk shows off battle scars after Gordon’s tackle (Getty Images)

Slot added that Conor Bradley, who picked up an injury in pre-season, has completed a full week of training, while Alexis Mac Allister has also returned following a minor setback.

“The positive is that Conor Bradley, only had one or two training sessions before the Newcastle game and he has trained all this week.

"There are two days to go. Alexis has started training too. I don’t think we had any injuries coming out of the [Newcastle] game.”

Bradley appeared off the bench in the Newcastle clash, substituted on in place of Florian Wirtz in the 80th minute. Slot said ahead of kick-off that he was not fit enough to start, but that could change this weekend as the Northern Ireland international approaches match fitness.

Dominik Szoboszlai stood in as a makeshift right-back on Tyneside, as Jeremie Frimpong remains sidelined with a hamstring issue. He is not expected to return until after the September international break.

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