Liverpool vs Arsenal
Premier League 2018/19
Venue: Anfield
Date: Saturday, 29 December, 2018
Kick-off time: 5:30pm GMT
Liverpool and Arsenal meet at Anfield with Jurgen Klopp's side full of belief that this may finally be their year to win the title.
Liverpool are six points clear at the top of the table after an unbeaten first half of the 2018-19 season, with Manchester City losing their last two games to fuel the Reds' momentum during the festive fixture schedule.
Unai Emery has started life well in the Arsenal dugout and has led the Gunners to fifth, though their progress has stalled in December with just two wins from their last five League outings.
Saturday's clash will also pit two of the League's top forwards against each other, with Mohamed Salah (12 goals) aiming to reign in Golden Boot leader Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (13).
Team news and predicted line-ups
Liverpool could be without James Milner after the midfielder missed Boxing Day's win over Newcastle with a muscle injury.
Milner was one of three names to drop out of the starting XI as Trent Alexander-Arnold returned for the Reds.
Xherdan Shaqiri and Georginio Wijnaldum were also handed starts as Jurgen Klopp's men went six points clear at the summit with a thumping 4-0 victory over former manager Rafael Benitez.
Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remain sidelined.
Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Keita; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Arsenal are still facing a defensive injury crisis with Hector Bellerin (calf), Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin) and Rob Holding (knee) all definitely out.
Shkodran Mustafi and Nacho Monreal (both thigh) are doubts, meaning Stephan Lichtsteiner could one again be deployed at right-back despite a costly mistake at Brighton.
Further up the field, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is out for six weeks with a broken metatarsal, Emile Smith Rowe (groin) remains out, while Danny Welbeck (ankle) is a long-term absentee.
Mesut Ozil started at Brighton but was taken off at half-time, which suggests a start at Anfield would be unlikely this time around.
Alexandre Lacazette once again showed his frustration at being taken off early in a game as he threw his gloves to the ground after being subbed off at the Amex with the scores level.
Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Leno; Lichtsteiner, Sokratis, Koscielny, Kolasinac; Xhaka, Torreira, Guendouzi; Ramsey, Aubameyang, Iwobi
Score prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Liverpool are top for a reason. Their attack should be too strong for Arsenal's weakened defence, while the Gunners may struggle against a Liverpool back line which has conceded just seven League goals this season.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Liverpool to win: 1/2
- Draw: 15/4
- Arsenal to win: 6/1
First goalscorer odds
- Mohamed Salah: 16/5
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 6/1
- Sadio Mane: 9/2
- Alexandre Lacazette: 9/1
- Virgil van Dijk: 22/1
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
Liverpool vs Arsenal tickets
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TV channel and live stream online coverage
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport 4K UHD. BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
You can follow all the action with analysis from Standard Sport correspondents David Lynch and Vaishali Bhardwaj LIVE at Anfield.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
The teams have met 53 times in the Premier League. Liverpool have won 19 times, Arsenal 15, and the sides have shared 19 draws.
Liverpool thrashed Arsenal 4-0 at Anfield last season, though their last two meetings have ended as draws, with this season's return fixture finishing 1-1 at the Emirates in November.
