Liverpool’s cup escape puts Arsenal’s six-point lead in reach
Arsenal arrive six points above Liverpool, and a home win would halve the gap. Bukayo Saka and William Saliba are out for Arsenal, while Liverpool are without Jeremie Frimpong and remain uncertain over Dominik Szoboszlai.
The midweek cup ties gave the sides identical scorelines but opposite endings. Liverpool drew 1-1 with Chelsea on Wednesday before winning the shoot-out 6-5; Arsenal drew 1-1 at Fleetwood on Tuesday and went out 5-3 on penalties.
Liverpool and Arsenal should share the points in a tightly balanced match, with two goals or fewer and both sides scoring.
Mikel Arteta called Arsenal’s elimination “a really sad day” and said his side had failed to turn possession and chances into a decisive margin. Arsenal remain second on 21 points, six above Liverpool in fourth, so a win would halve the gap.
Arsenal are without Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, and the club’s appeal against Max Dowman’s red card leaves his availability unresolved. Liverpool will miss Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Víctor Muñoz remain doubts; Gabriel Magalhães also needs a fitness check after a knee issue.
The January meeting at the Emirates finished goalless, and three of the last six competitive meetings have been drawn. Alexander Isak has scored in each of Liverpool’s last two league matches, but Arsenal have won four of their last five league games.
