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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tom Doyle

Liverpool vs Arsenal lineups: Confirmed team news, predicted XIs, injury updates

Liverpool and Arsenal meet at Anfield this weekend in what is likely to be a shootout between two of the best attacks in Europe, let alone the Premier League.

Jurgen Klopp and Unai Emery's sides sit first and second respectively in the table after both winning their opening two games of the season - but one of those 100 per cent record will have to go at Anfield on Saturday evening.

Both coaches have a few selection issues to iron out, but it is more a case of tweaking tactics rather than having to deal with any significant new absences.

Alisson Becker (calf) remains out of action for the time being for Liverpool, meaning Adrian will continue in goal.

Arsenal will want to test the Spaniard's nerves at every moment, especially after last weekend's mistake which gifted Southampton a goal which ultimately proved to be a mere consolation, but could have cost Klopp two precious points.

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Naby Keita is expected to miss out again with a muscle problem, which means Klopp will have to find a balance to his midfield.

Klopp could bring Fabinho and Jordan Henderson back into the fold for Georginio Wijnaldum and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but the attack and defence should stay the same as against Southampton.

Nathaniel Clyne is the only other long-term absentee for Klopp, and Dejan Lovren will be pushing for a squad role at Anfield.

As for Arsenal, David Luiz made his first start for the club against Burnley and should retain his role in the lineup alongside Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

(AFP/Getty Images)

Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock have started both of the opening games of the season, and Emery will find it hard to drop either at Anfield.

Nelson is the more likely of the two to make way, and Lucas Torreira could come in for some added midfield bite - but Nicolas Pepe is also an option after another impressive cameo last weekend, and Emery is pleased with his progress in training.

Mesut Ozil missed out against Burnley due to illness, but will be back in contention. However, Dani Ceballos is likely to be handed the No.10 role again after a superb performance at the Emirates.

http://players.brightcove.net/1348423965/default_default/index.html?videoId=GHl2z8QvivU

Hector Bellerin (knee), Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin) and Kieran Tierney (groin) are all out. Rob Holding (knee) has rejoined full first-team training, while Granit Xhaka is easing back to full fitness.

Predicted lineups

Liverpool XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Milner, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Mane

Arsenal XI: Leno; Maitland-Niles, David Luiz, Sokratis, Monreal; Guendouzi, Willock, Ceballos; Pepe, Lacazette, Aubameyang

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