As Liverpool and Arsenal gear up for their FA Cup face off this Sunday, they could potentially be missing a total of 16 players from their line-ups due to injuries and other commitments. Liverpool, currently leading the Premier League, is set to play at the Emirates Stadium, having drawn another top-flight side in the domestic cup.
Liverpool is also competing in the Carabao Cup semi-finals and the Europa League’s round of 16. Winning against Arsenal in this renowned cup competition would certainly solidify their standing, but it seems both teams will field significantly altered squads this weekend in North London.
Liverpool has been affected by the forthcoming AFCON and Asian Cup tournaments. Wataru Endō and Mohamed Salah said their goodbyes after Monday’s victory over Newcastle. Arsenal will also miss Japan’s Takehiro Tomiyasu, while Thomas Partey was excluded from Ghana’s AFCON squad as he recuperates from thigh surgery.
Liverpool’s injury list has been steadily growing over the holiday season, with another setback occurring on New Year’s Day when Dominik Szoboszlai sustained a hamstring problem. Liverpool’s manager, Jürgen Klopp, stated that they are awaiting further information on the severity of Szoboszlai’s injury, which might add to Liverpool’s existing midfield absences. He will give another update in his press conference early on Friday.
Thiago Alcântara and Stefan Bajčetić have been out of action for most of the season due to injuries, despite Bajčetić making a brief comeback earlier in the season. Thiago is convalescing from hip surgery, while Bajčetić is dealing with growth complications. Young winger Ben Doak is also recuperating from lateral meniscus surgery.
In terms of his defense, Joël Matip is likely out for the rest of the season following an ACL injury during Liverpool’s triumph over Fulham. Left-back duo Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas are out of action due to a dislocated shoulder and a broken collarbone, respectively.
Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, also has his share of injury concerns in the lead-up to the match against Liverpool. Bukayo Saka, despite an Achilles issue, has continued to play and might be given a rest. Ben White, who played in Arsenal’s recent loss to Fulham, is nursing a knee injury. Oleksandr Zinchenko was absent from the Craven Cottage matchday squad due to a calf injury.
Arsenal will also miss midfielder Fábio Vieira as he recovers from groin surgery. In addition, defender Jurriën Timber, who suffered an ACL injury during his Premier League debut, is a long-term absentee but could potentially return before the season concludes.
Liverpool absences: Salah, Endō, Bajčetić, Thiago, Robertson, Tsimikas, Matip and potentially Szoboszlai.
Arsenal absences: Tomiyasu, Partey, Timber, Vieira, Elneny and potentially Zinchenko, Saka and White.
