Liverpool confirmed XI vs. Arsenal: Only 1 change, still no Ekitike
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Liverpool travel to the Emirates with Arne Slot making only one change from the side that drew at Fulham, as Hugo Ekitike again misses out through injury. The French striker’s muscle problem persists, meaning he is not in the squad and Liverpool must once more cope without their top scorer in a key title-race clash against Arsenal.[4]
Slot keeps faith with the shape and most of the personnel that have recently impressed. Cody Gakpo continues as the central striker, tasked with leading the line in Ekitike’s absence.[4] Behind and around him, Liverpool retain a fluid attacking unit built on pace and movement rather than a traditional No. 9.
The confirmed XI sees Alisson in goal, protected by a back four of Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez.[4] Bradley and Kerkez are again preferred in the full-back roles, underlining Slot’s trust in their energy and attacking thrust down the flanks.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai all start, giving Liverpool a technically strong and progressive trio tasked with both protecting the defence and linking quickly to the attack.[4] Mac Allister anchors the unit, with Gravenberch and Szoboszlai offering forward runs and creativity between the lines.
Further forward, Jeremie Frimpong starts on the right and is expected to play high and wide, stretching Arsenal’s defence with his pace.[4] On the opposite flank, Florian Wirtz provides ingenuity and an additional playmaking threat cutting in from the left, supporting Gakpo in central areas.[2][4]
The bench again highlights Liverpool’s depth but also their reliance on makeshift attacking solutions while Ekitike remains sidelined. With just one alteration to the Fulham lineup, Slot clearly values continuity, backing this XI to deliver in one of the season’s most demanding away fixtures.[2][4]