TEAM NEWS
James Milner and Dominic Solanke are both ruled out, but Alberto Moreno has recovered from a back problem. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could opt to freshen up his side, with Fabinho and Naby Keita among the contenders for a recall to the starting line-up.
Arsenal is short of defenders with Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin still out and Nacho Monreal’s fitness uncertain.
Shkodran Mustafi is nearing a return from a hamstring injury, although this game may come too soon for him.
Captain Laurent Koscielny should be fine despite suffering a minor foot issue in the draw at Brighton.
MOTD COMMENTATOR’S NOTES
@Wilsonfooty: There have been so many classic encounters over the years between Liverpool and Arsenal that you cannot help but be excited by the prospect of the latest clash.
Liverpool have won every Premier League game they have played since drawing at the Emirates back in early November, setting a pace that even Manchester City have failed to match.
Everyone knows that compared to last season’s halfway mark, Klopp’s side have won far more points (16 more) and conceded far fewer goals (16 less) – but they have also scored two more goals.
Given that, you could argue that there’s more to come from the Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino axis – that’s a surprise.
Arsenal’s stats are also better than last season, but stopping Liverpool’s steamroller in its tracks will not be easy.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: “They [Arsenal] are good, strong with the ball and very lively. Their counter-attacks are crazy quick.
“[Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang and [Alexandre] Lacazette are a good strike two. Outstanding strikers up front, quick on the wings – a really good team.”
Arsenal head coach Unai Emery on whether Liverpool can end the season unbeaten in the Premier League: “They can do that because they are doing it at the moment. We played against Liverpool three [seasons] ago with Sevilla in the final of the Europa League and I look at this progress and they are a very good example.
“This progress is also one example for us, now, in our moment. But we need to be very, very demanding of ourselves to do this step quickly in our way.
“But we need also time and sometimes the patience is very important for us.”
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
Liverpool are a very good team and they are in a very good moment. That doesn’t mean they won’t have bad moments between now and the end of the season but, right now, they are extremely hard to stop.
Can I see them scoring against Arsenal? Yes. Can I see Arsenal scoring at Anfield? No.
Prediction: 2-0
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Arsenal are winless in their last five league games at Anfield (D2, L3), conceding at least two goals in each of those matches (17 in total).
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last seven matches against the Gunners (W3, D4).
Liverpool
- Liverpool are only the fourth Premier League team to be unbeaten at the halfway stage of a season, along with Arsenal in 2003-04, Manchester United in 2010-11 and Manchester City in 2017-18.
- The Reds are 16 points better off than at this stage last season.
- The Merseysiders are unbeaten in their last 20 matches in December in all competitions (W16, D4), winning the past nine.
- They are also undefeated in 30 Premier League home games, their longest such run since a 31-match streak between December 2007 and August 2009.
- A clean sheet would ensure Liverpool set a new record for fewest goals conceded (seven) after 20 top-flight games.
- Roberto Firmino, who has failed to score in his last 11 league games at Anfield, has been directly involved in eight goals in his last six league games against Arsenal, scoring five and setting up three.
- Xherdan Shaqiri has scored four goals in his last four Premier League matches – one more than he managed in the previous 20.
Arsenal
- Arsenal have claimed just one victory in their last five away league fixtures (D3, L1).
- The Gunners are winless in 19 Premier League away matches versus sides from the established top six since a 2-0 triumph at Manchester City in January 2015 (D7, L12).
- They have won just one of their last 12 Premier League away games against sides starting the day top of the table, losing the last six in a row by an aggregate score of 17-2.
- Arsenal have conceded in each of their last nine away Premier League games, two short of their longest run without a clean sheet in the division – set in 2010.
- They have scored nine Premier League goals from outside the penalty area this season, more than any other side – but opponents Liverpool are the only side yet to concede from long range.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been directly involved in 30 goals in his 32 Premier League appearances for Arsenal, scoring 23 and assisting seven.
