Will Maxwell’s selections for Sunday’s huge clash at Emirates Stadium include a positive result for Liverpool with goals at both ends.
It’s third against first at the Emirates on Sunday, as Liverpool head to Arsenal looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Having fallen to their first defeat of the season last week, the Gunners have been hit by injury and suspension problems going into this big clash.
Arne Slot’s men have won seven of their opening eight league games and go into this encounter off the back of another European success – a 1-0 win over RB Leipzig.
The Merseysiders have conceded just three goals in eight matches, but they have been beaten in their last two Premier League visits to the Emirates.
Best bets
Liverpool to win or draw & both teams to score
6/4
Luis Diaz to score or assist
9/5
Mohamed Salah to have 3+ shots on target
11/2
Arteta faced with selection dilemmas
It’s hardly ideal to have four or five first-team regulars missing for such a big game and that’s an issue facing Mikel Arteta on Sunday.
Already without long-term absentee Martin Odegaard, Arsenal will be missing William Saliba following his sending-off at Bournemouth last week.
Riccardo Calafiori would ordinarily replace Saliba in the heart of the defence, but the Italian picked up an injury in midweek and could also miss out.
Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber are two other key players rated doubtful, leaving the Arsenal boss with some key decisions to make.
Liverpool look set to be without Alisson and Diogo Jota, but head to the capital after keeping another clean sheet, with a 1-0 success at RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
Both teams have scored in each of Arsenal’s last three home games, while Liverpool have scored in all of their last seven games in all competitions.
Fresh Diaz can have an impact
After being left on the bench in the last two games following the international break, Luis Diaz is expected to start on Sunday afternoon.
The Colombian already has five Premier League goals to his name, including a brace in the 3-0 win at Manchester United.
Diaz played a big part in Gabriel’s own goal in this fixture last season and scored the second goal in last season’s FA Cup win for the Reds at the Emirates.
Having only played 51 minutes of the last two matches, the forward will be fresh and determined to win back his starting role.
Salah can build on impressive Gunners record
With problems for Arsenal at the back, Liverpool will feel they can get at the hosts’ backline and Mohamed Salah will be out to add to his tally.
Salah was given a rare second-half break in the Champions League win in Germany and will be raring to go against a team he has an impressive record against.
The Egyptian star, who already has five league goals this season, has scored 10 goals in 16 career games against the Gunners.
Salah will also be aware that a goal will take him past Jermain Defoe and level with Robbie Fowler, in the all-time Premier League goalscorer list.
Visit Betway’s football betting page.