Liverpool FC host an Arsenal side that has been on the top of their game of late, especially since Mikel Arteta took over the manager hot seat at the Emirates Stadium, replacing the worn-out figure of Unai Emery in the Gunners dugout.
Both English heavyweights have recorded a perfect start to their league campaign, coupled with victories in the EFL Cup fixture midweek, thereby booking a fourth-round clash with each other, that will be played on Thursday.
Jürgen Klopp’s men, fresh on the back of handing a crushing 7-2 defeat to Lincoln City in the EFL Cup, will resort to a more formal approach against Arsenal on Monday, with several first-team regulars who had not kicked the ball against Lincoln set to return to the starting XI for the Merseyside giants.
As for Arsenal, the North London side has been impressive in their run of form in recent times, particularly against Monday’s opponents Liverpool FC. Both times Jurgen Klopp has come up against his Spanish counterpart in Arteta over the past few months, the Reds have come out second best to the Gunners, with last month’s FA Community Shield loss being the most recent of defeats for the defending Premier League champions.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Monday 28 September
Time: 2 PM GMT
Venue: Anfield
TEAM NEWS
Klopp will not be able to call upon the services of perhaps the most experienced player in his squad, Liverpool FC’s ever reliant skipper Jordan Henderson. The midfielder was taken off the pitch in the game against Chelsea last week and was ruled out for the clash against Arsenal by Klopp in his pre-match interview.
Joel Matip remains a long-term absentee for the Reds and the centre-back is expected to return to the first-team fold after the international break in mid-October.
However, what will be of most concern to the Liverpool FC supporters is that recent reports indicate the possibility of Thiago Alcantara and Alisson Becker being major doubts to play against the Gunners on Monday. A formal announcement is yet to be made by the club regarding both player’s availability for the upcoming Premier League game.
