Liverpool faces a major challenge before the big match as injuries and international duties could sideline up to five players, while Arsenal has three injured players.
On 7 Jan 2026 GMT+7, Liverpool may face a tougher task than expected in this midweek Premier League game, with the possibility of missing up to five players when they visit league leaders Arsenal at Emirates Stadium this Thursday night.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is still awaiting clarity on the fitness of several squad members, especially in attack, after their recent 2-2 away draw with Fulham.
The biggest concern is the condition of Hugo Ekitike, the French international striker and the team's top scorer this season with 11 goals. He missed the Fulham game due to a hamstring injury, but Slot remains hopeful that it is not serious.
"It's not unusual for him to experience DOMS muscle pain. We hoped to use him as a substitute, but it turned out to be more than that, and we don't want to take risks," Slot said.
Ekitike's return would be great news since Alexander Isak still faces a lengthy absence after ankle surgery and a fractured fibula sustained in a pre-Christmas clash.
Florian Wirtz is likely to be available, having played through a hamstring strain and even scored in the Fulham match.
Confirmed absentees include Mohamed Salah, who is away with Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations; young defender Giovanni Leonie, out long-term after ACL surgery; and Wataru Endo, recovering from an ankle injury for the past month.
Arsenal also faces player availability issues, missing defenders Ricardo Calafiori, Christian Mosquera, and 16-year-old rising star Max Dawman.