Liverpool go into Sunday’s clash against Arsenal with injury concerns.
Chiesa, Conor Bradley and Diogo Jota are all set to miss the trip to North London. Arne Slot said. “I think they feel good but not for the weekend, Chiesa might train today, Diogo no, Conor, let’s see if he can be with us tomorrow.”
First choice goalkeeper Alisson is also still out with a long term hamstring injury that he suffered against Crystal Palace but is according to the manager. “He’s progressing well, like we expect but it’s not a short-term recovery so it’s always difficult to judge. I think the best way to judge an injury is at the end of the rehabilitation stage, but he isn’t there yet. So don’t expect him to be involved against Brighton in the cup or next week.”
Arsenal are also missing key players as Bukayo Saka and Martin Odergaard are both out and William Saliba is serving the first match of the suspension he picked up against Bournemouth.
After a hard fought 2-1 win Chelsea last week, Slot admits facing potential Premier League title rivals is potentially, an even tougher challenge.
“If you look at the last two seasons Arsenal were far ahead of us and Chelsea so you’ll assume that playing Arsenal will be even more difficult than Chelsea. But we’ll see normally because it’s an away game you’d expect this one to be even more difficult than Chelsea at home.”
Liverpool are so far, the best defensive outfit in the Premier League this sesason, conceding three goals. “Most games we dominate, but when there’s difficult spells in a game the work rate is incredible not to concede. And having Virgil and Konate is probably the biggest we don’t concede much. We’re in a good place for centre backs and the goalkeepers speak for themselves.”
Despite last week’s surprise defeat to Bournemouth, and their own injury worries, Arsenal are once again in the title shake up are mounting a title challenge. “Nobody knows who your main competitor will be this early on, but I think we all know Arsenal will be one of them.”
Liverpool have the chance to go seven points clear of the Gunners if they pick up three points on Sunday, and four points clear at the top depending on results elsewhere.
