Arsenal vs Liverpool preview: How to watch, predicted lineups, score prediction & injury updates

Arsenal Team News vs Liverpool

The international break is never especially welcome for top-flight football clubs, who are left checking live updates for matches to see who gets injured, not who scores.

As far as injuries go, only one player came back from international duty carrying a knock: Emile Smith Rowe. Left out of England Under-21’s final European Championship clash with Croatia after starting in the previous two fixtures, Smith Rowe sustained a hip problem and will be assessed ahead of Saturday.

Bukayo Saka is the only other member of the squad with an injury issue, one he sustained prior to the break taking place.

His hamstring problem continues to be monitored ahead of the weekend having missed all of England’s fixtures, which on the one hand suits Arsenal who saw him have two weeks of rest, albeit two weeks of nursing an issue.

In his stead there are Willian – who has brushed off a knock – and Nicolas Pepe to come in on the right hand side, so Arsenal are well stocked.

Everywhere else it’s fatigue that is of concern. Martin Odegaard started all of Norway’s three fixtures and likewise Kieran Tierney. The former played less football than his teammate but is still a concern, one Arsenal will have to live with if Smith Rowe is unavailable. Tierney must get rested soon but it’s hard to see that coming against the champions.

The same applies to Granit Xhaka who played 83% of Switzerland’s total minutes over the break. He’ll surely start. Again. Meanwhile, Gabriel looks set to come in for Pablo Mari in defence.

Klopp is finally earning some respite from the horde of injuries plaguing his side this season as key players return, leaving only central defence of great concern.

Roberto Firmino and Divock Origi were unavailable in their most recent match with Wolves but are expected to be fit, with Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson the key players missing.