Liverpool can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to eight points on Sunday should they defeat Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in a match that will help shape the destiny of the title.
A repeat of the away win Jurgen Klopp’s team produced in the FA Cup last month would send a clear statement of intent to Liverpool’s rivals before Manchester City get the chance to reduce the gap against Brentford on Monday evening. Arsenal will see this contest as a must-win fixture, with the difference between winning and losing having a huge baring on their own hopes of winning the Premier League this season.
The Reds will be without five first team players for this crunch encounter but a number of key senior personnel are now back in the fold as Klopp looks to bring the curtain down on his storied Anfield tenure with a glorious departure bursting with silverware.Here’s a round-up of the key players who will be missing for Liverpool at Arsenal on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool’s top scorer has given fans a boost this week by sharing photographs and videos of himself running at the AXA training ground in his club training wear. But Sunday’s game against the Gunners will arrive too early for the Egyptian King. Jurgen Klopp has already indicated that he doesn’t not intend to rush his star man back into the first team and whilst Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo are doing the business up front in his absence, that seems like a sensible approach.
Wataro Endo
The Japanese midfield enforcer has been in Qatar chasing closing at the Asia Cup, but he is now on his way home. A 96th-minute penalty gave Iran a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Japan in the quarterfinals, breaking Endo’s heart, but while his dreams of international glory now lie in ruins there is plenty to play for back in England. Endo will not return in time to be included in the Liverpool squad against Arsenal, but should be available for selection against Burnley on February 10.
