The Gunners head into the clash after a dominant 2-0 win against Brighton last weekend. Meanwhile, the Reds endured a frustrating 0-0 draw against bitter rivals Manchester United later.

Jurgen Klopp’s side responded in resounding fashion with a 5-1 victory over West Ham in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, though, and should be full of confidence ahead of this one.

The Gunners are top of the league at the time of writing with a slender one-point lead, with both Liverpool and Aston Villa waiting to pounce. No one is writing off defending champions Manchester City yet.

Pep Guardiola’s side are not in action this weekend as they attempt to win the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Therefore, whoever wins this Anfield clash, assuming there is a victor, will comfortably sit top of the Premier League table on Christmas day.

Liverpool team news

Liverpool have a handful of players who will miss this top-of-the-table six-pointer against Arsenal. Summer recruit Alexis Mac Allister (knee) and defender Joel Matip (ACL) will be out of action for the rest of the year, while defender Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), and Thiago Alcantara (groin) are all long-term absentees.

Diogo Jota (undisclosed) is closing in on a return from injury, but this game may come too soon for the Portuguese attacker. Curtis Jones could start here, after his sparkling display against West Ham in the EFL Cup.

Liverpool possible XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Endo, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

PositionPlayers

Goalkeepers:Alisson, Kelleher, Adrian

Defenders:Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez, Quansah, Tsimikas, Alexander-Arnold, Bradley

Midfielders:Endo, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones, Elliott

Forwards:Diaz, Nunez, Salah, Gakpo, Doak

Arsenal team news

Arsenal could be without as many as six players for the trip to Anfield. Jurrien Timber (knee), Fabio Vieira (groin), Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), and Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) are all out with long-term injury problems. Jorginho (foot) and Thomas Partey (thigh) are doubts for the match.

Arsenal possible XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

PositionPlayers

Goalkeepers:Raya, Ramsdale, Hein

Defenders:Tomiyasu, Zinchenko, Saliba, Kiwior, Magalhães, Lannin-Sweet, Timber, White, Walters, Soares

Midfielders:Elneny, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Rice, Jorginho, Ødegaard, Partey, Havertz

Forwards:Nketiah, Martinelli, Trossard, Saka, Nelson, Jesus