Liverpool line-ups for Arsenal as Darwin Nunez injury and left-back decisions made
Our Liverpool FC writers Paul Gorst and Ian Doyle pick their teams for today’s massive top-of-the-table Premier League clash against Arsenal at the Emirates
Darwin Nunez of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on February 02, 2024
Paul Gorst – Robertson remains on the bench given Gomez’s frankly sensational form
With no game after this one for six days, Liverpool can go strong for today’s crunch match at Arsenal.
The major dilemma is what happens around the right-back situation and given the sad news about Conor Bradley’s father passing away over the weekend, Trent Alexander-Arnold comes back into the side.
Bradley has been superb of late, particularly against Chelsea on Wednesday, but a leave on compassionate grounds will likely be needed today. His time will come again.
Andy Robertson remains on the bench for this one given Joe Gomez’s frankly sensational form at left-back. Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are the centre-backs.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister remains at the base after his excellent showings against Bournemouth and Chelsea. The Argentina World Cup winner has been in inspired form since the turn of the year. Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai keep their places just ahead of Mac Allister.
And it’s the same front three for me as Wednesday night given Darwin Nunez trained after that foot injury he picked up against Chelsea. The Uruguay international starts off the left and Diogo Jota leads the line. Luis Diaz is stationed on the right for this one but that fluid front three can move about as the game develops.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Diaz, Jota, Nunez.
Ian Doyle – There isn’t much call for change throughout the team
So continues the countdown to the end of Jurgen Klopp’s reign as Liverpool manager. And the Reds boss will be looking to sign off in style on his last visit to the Emirates.
With Arsenal being fellow Premier League title contenders, victory this afternoon could be enormous. What, though, is Klopp to do?
Alisson Becker will be in goal. And, for obvious reasons, Trent Alexander-Arnold returns at right-back for his first start since the FA Cup win at Arsenal almost a month ago. Joe Gomez can stay at left-back, with skipper Virgil van Dijk partnered by Ibrahima Konate at centre-back.
In fact, there isn’t much call for change throughout the team. Alexis Mac Allister remains as the number six, with Curtis Jones to his left and Dominik Szoboszlai the right.
And up top, Darwin Nunez can again lead the line, with Luis Diaz on the left wing and Diogo Jota on the right. They all mixed and matched during the FA Cup game, and it’s likely they’ll do the same again today.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Jones; Jota, Nunez, Diaz.
