Liverpool lineups vs Arsenal as decisions made on Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike

Liverpool travel to Arsenal in a crucial Premier League clash with manager Arne Slot forced into key attacking decisions involving Cody Gakpo and injured striker Hugo Ekitike. Ekitike, who missed the recent draw at Fulham with a muscle problem, has still not trained fully and is expected to sit out again, leaving Gakpo to lead the line at the Emirates. In Ekitike’s absence, Gakpo is set to operate as the central striker, looking to build on his goal against Fulham and act as the focal point of Liverpool’s attack.

Slot is likely to set his side up in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 shape, but in either case Gakpo is central to the plan, supported by a fluid line of attacking midfielders and wingers. With Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool’s forward options are already reduced, making the Ekitike injury an additional blow. However, this also opens the door for creative solutions in the attacking unit, with players such as Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and possibly Jeremie Frimpong expected to provide goal threat and movement around Gakpo.

The article highlights that Liverpool’s starting XI is otherwise relatively settled. Alisson will start in goal behind a back four of Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk and a left-back choice between Milos Kerkez and Andrew Robertson, with Kerkez offering pace and Robertson greater experience. In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch are tipped to anchor the side, allowing more advanced roles for Szoboszlai and Wirtz. The main storyline is how Liverpool compensate for Ekitike’s likely absence and Salah’s unavailability, and whether Gakpo can again deliver as the main striker in a high-stakes away match against title-favourites Arsenal.