Latest Liverpool news with Arne Slot facing several decisions before the Premier League clash away at Arsenal
Arne Slot has been handed an unfortunate Liverpool scenario before his side face Arsenal in Premier League action on Sunday. The Reds currently sit top of the table with seven wins from a possible eight while Mikel Arteta’s side are four points behind following their defeat to Bournemouth last weekend.
Just over 24 hours on from that surprising result at Vitality Stadium, Liverpool beat Chelsea at Anfield in response to Manchester City’s last-gasp victory at Wolves. Following the latest set of results, all three title rivals will play in the week before returning to league action this weekend.
Arsenal have already contested their Champions League clash with Arteta watching his players beat Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0. Man City meanwhile, welcome Sparta Praha to Etihad Stadium on Wednesday with Liverpool in Germany to face RB Leipzig.
READ MORE: Liverpool line-ups for RB Leipzig as Ryan Gravenberch rested and two changes up front
READ MORE: Arne Slot admits Pep Guardiola theory is ‘true’ as Liverpool boss sends clear Man City message
Regardless of what happens in the game, Liverpool are already at a disadvantage to Arsenal. While the Reds will be on their way back from Germany in the early hours of Thursday morning, Arteta and his players will be just a few hours away from a full training session having recovered the previous day from their European clash.
This scenario likely means Liverpool will not be able to train at an intense level until Friday and there is some added travel implications that must be taken into account. While the Arsenal squad only need to travel to Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Slot and his players must make the trip south, likely on Saturday evening.
Inclusive of this Sunday’s fixture, two home games for Arsenal while Liverpool have two away games could have a huge impact as fatigue setting in is a real possibility. However, it is also worth noting Arsenal’s injury concerns are far bigger than Liverpool’s.
While having Alisson absent and potentially Diogo Jota as well, it doesn’t really compare to Arteta’s worries. Because of the red card picked up last weekend, William Saliba will serve a one-match suspension and he could be joined out of the squad by Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori.