Arsenal vs Liverpool Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 English FA Cup | Third Round
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THE FACTS
When is Arsenal vs Liverpool on and what time does it start? Arsenal vs Liverpool will take place on Sunday 7th January, 2024 – 16:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Arsenal vs Liverpool? Visit each team’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Arsenal vs Liverpool on in the UK? BBC and ITV share the rights to FA Cup matches so it is worth checking their schedules for Arsenal vs Liverpool
Where can I stream Arsenal vs Liverpool in the UK? If televised on BBC, Arsenal vs Liverpool can be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app. If televised on ITV, the match can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
ARSENAL
Mikel Arteta has one piece of major silverware in his managerial trophy cabinet and it came in this competition when Arsenal won the 2021 FA Cup. The Gunners will be focusing on bigger priorities, though, this season as they aim to win a first Premier League title since 2004 and also try and push deep into the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
However, with Manchester City’s November/December blip, Arsenal failed to capitalise. Instead, they begin this weekend sitting five points off Liverpool in first place. Back-to-back London derby defeats to West Ham United and Fulham before the New Year means that they have managed just one win in their last six matches across all competitions.
LIVERPOOL
Jurgen Klopp, similarly to Arsenal, haven’t absolutely nailed the advantage of Manchester City dropping points, but The Reds are currently in top spot in the league. They also have an upcoming EFL Cup semi-final against Fulham to look forward to in midweek, as well as the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League – in which Klopp will hope to still rotate.
Liverpool have been difficult to beat this season and, despite the general impression being a more gung-ho style of football, they have actually only conceded 18 goals in their 20 matches so far this season – which is the best defensive record in the Premier League. Their opponents, Arsenal, have the second best record.
THE TEAM NEWS
ARSENAL
Mikel Arteta has confirmed in his pre-match press conference that both Jurrien Timber and Fabio Vieira will be definite absentees due to injury for this weekend, whilst Thomas Partey also remains unavailable.
Oleksandr Zinchenko missed their defeat to Fulham and the Ukrainian international remains a doubt for this weekend, whilst Takehiro Tomiyasu is away with the Japan side at the AFC Asian Cup. There are suggestions that both Ben White and Bukayo Saka could be rested this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; Cedric, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Trossard, Nketiah, Martinelli
UNAVAILABLE: Partey (Injured), Vieira (Injured), Timber (Injured), Tomiyasu (International Duty)
QUESTIONABLE: Zinchenko (Injured)
LIVERPOOL
Jurgen Klopp has suggested he may send out a strong side to face Arsenal at the weekend as The Reds will have had six days since their last league fixture. The biggest disruption will be caused by Mohamed Salah's absence at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The German boss will also be without Hungarian international Dominik Szoboszlai due to injury, whilst Wataru Endo is on international duty with Tomiyasu and Japan. Andrew Robertson will return later this month but remains unavailable, as is Thiago Alcantara.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones; Diaz, Jota, Gakpo
UNAVAILABLE: Thiago (Injured), Endo (International Duty), Szoboszlai (Injured), Robertson (Injured), Matip (Injured), Doak (Injured), Bajcetic (Injured), Salah (International Duty)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Both managers have an incentive to go with a strong starting lineup on Sunday afternoon and that could well be the case. However, as was shown by their 1-1 draw at Anfield just before Christmas, there is something genuinely deceptively strong about each other’s back-line. So whilst it may be a high octane contest with the thrill of a knockout competition, it could well be a case of cancelling each other out once more.
TIP: UNDER 3.5 GOALS
