Liverpool can open up an eight-point lead over Premier League title rivals Arsenal when they clash with the Gunners in Sunday\’s mouthwatering Emirates encounter.
Jurgen Klopp\’s men maintained their existing five-point advantage by thrashing Chelsea 4-1 on Wednesday, where Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz, Conor Bradley and Diogo Jota were among the goals.
The Reds also emerged victorious by a 2-0 scoreline in their FA Cup third-round showdown with Mikel Arteta\’s men last month, although they were held to a 1-1 Anfield draw in December.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Liverpool\’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of the contest with Arsenal, whose midweek clash with Nottingham Forest ended in a nervy 2-1 triumph.
Alexis Mac Allister
Status: Minor doubtType of injury: KneePossible return date: February 4 (vs. Arsenal)
Alexis Mac Allister came off worse in a clash of knees with Cesare Casadei on Wednesday night, but Klopp does not believe that the Argentine has sustained a serious problem, and he ought to be fine for the trip to North London.
Mohamed Salah
In contrast, Mohamed Salah has been ruled out of the crunch Emirates clash due to the muscular injury that he sustained at the Africa Cup of Nations, although he ought to be back in contention at some point in February.
Wataru Endo
Status: OutReason for absence: International dutyPossible return date: Unknown
While Egypt\’s AFCON dreams are now over, Japan are still involved in the Asian Cup, meaning that Wataru Endo will watch Sunday\’s game from the comfort of his Qatar hotel.
Joel Matip
Status: OutType of injury: KneePossible return date: Unknown
Joel Matip\’s season – and potentially his Liverpool career – came to an end when he ruptured his ACL against Fulham in December, but Klopp is hopeful that the Reds board will offer the Cameroonian a new contract.
Kostas Tsimikas
Status: OutType of injury: CollarbonePossible return date: February 10 (vs. Burnley)
Kostas Tsimikas is in the final stages of his rehabilitation from a collarbone fracture, but the Greek\’s bone is yet to fully heal, meaning that a comeback at the Emirates is beyond the realm of possibility.
Thiago Alcantara
Status: OutType of injury: HipPossible return date: February 24 (vs. Luton Town)
Thiago Alcantara has finally made his long-awaited return to training from a hip injury, which has kept him on the sidelines since April, but he is still far from full match fitness and is unlikely to return until the end of the month in the best-case scenario.
Stefan Bajcetic
Status: OutType of injury: CalfPossible return date: February 24 (vs. Luton Town)
Similarly, Stefan Bajcetic is facing at least another few weeks on the treatment table with his calf injury, which Liverpool have been extremely careful with due to the problem being growth-related.