Liverpool v Arsenal team news: Saka, Madueke, Szoboszlai
Arsenal travel to Anfield without Max Dowman, who is suspended after the Football Association rejected their appeal, and with Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke both uncertain. Liverpool hope Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz are fit. Kick-off is 17:30 WAT on Sunday 1 November.
By Emily, Sports Editor · Published · Updated
Key points: who is fit for Liverpool v Arsenal?
- Max Dowman is suspended for the game after the FA rejected Arsenal's appeal against his red card.
- Saka needed another scan, and Madueke must complete Saturday's training session to be available.
- Rice, Calafiori and Tzolis trained on Friday and will be available if everything is OK.
- Iraola said Szoboszlai and Munoz have a chance of playing at Anfield.
- Arsenal have not won any of their last 13 league games at Anfield.
The FA's independent commission dismissed Arsenal's claims of wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment, The Guardian reported, so Dowman serves a three-match ban. It covers Sunday's game, the home match with Hull and the trip to Newcastle, either side of the international break. The 16-year-old was sent off in the 85th minute of the Carabao Cup tie at Fleetwood, which the League Two side won 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, according to BBC Sport.
Who is fit for Arsenal?
Saka needed another scan after the injury he picked up against Bayern Munich, to see how the fluid around a tendon was resolving. Asked whether he could return before the international break, Arteta said: "He looks like it; we need to wait and see how he evolves," Arsenal FC reported.
Madueke, who has taken most of the minutes on the right while Saka has been out, missed the trip to Fleetwood. "We do not know yet," Arteta told BBC Sport. "We have a training session tomorrow so we will see if he can complete the full session and after that we will know if he is available." Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Christos Tzolis "all trained today, they will train tomorrow and if everything is OK then they will be available", he added.
On Alexander Isak, Arteta's plan was simple: "By keeping him as far from the goal as possible." He called facing Andoni Iraola a "privilege" and a "blessing", recalling the "beautiful moments" the two shared when they were younger.
Who is fit for Liverpool?
Iraola said Szoboszlai and Munoz "have a chance" of playing. "But I don't know for sure if they will be involved or not. We still have two days," he told Liverpool FC. Liverpool have won five matches in a row, though Iraola pointed out that "just two are in the league" and that "we still need more wins to recover points".
He would not talk about the table. "I think it's too early to start looking at the standings," he said. He called Arsenal "the actual champions" who have "only lost one game this season". Punch reports that Arsenal are level on points with Manchester City at the top. Iraola also brushed off his record against Arsenal as Bournemouth coach, telling BBC Sport: "It is a totally different team and moment."
What is Arsenal's record at Anfield?
It is poor. Punch says Arsenal have not won any of their last 13 league games at Anfield. Arteta was blunt about it: "It's 14 years that we haven't won there, so it's time to do it."
TuSport desk: six names, one training session
Put the three reports side by side and Arsenal's problem is on the flanks. Six Arsenal players were named in this week's fitness and discipline news: Dowman, Saka, Madueke, Rice, Calafiori and Tzolis. BBC Sport noted the club were already light on wing options with Saka, Tzolis and Madueke injured, and the ban removes Dowman as well. Only Dowman is certain to miss out. Saka's place depends on his scan, Madueke must complete Saturday's full session, and Arteta said Rice, Calafiori and Tzolis will be available if everything is OK after that same training day.
Liverpool's run looks stronger than it is in the league. Iraola's own split is two league wins among the five, so three came in other competitions. That is why he kept talking about recovering points and dismissed the table as "too early".
The Anfield figures tell one story. Punch counts 13 league visits without a win and Arteta puts it at 14 years. Together they mean Arsenal have gone more than a decade of yearly trips without a league win at Anfield.
The first firm answers will come with the official team sheets, usually released an hour before kick-off, which is about 16:30 WAT.
Why it matters
This is the biggest game of the Premier League weekend for Nigerian viewers, although Punch expects no Nigerian to play in it. Follow both sides on our Liverpool and Arsenal pages and the Premier League hub. For background, read our report on Dowman's red card at Fleetwood and our earlier Bournemouth v Leeds team news.
Sources: BBC Sport — Arteta on Iraola, Disneyland, and Dowman · Arsenal FC — Arteta's update on Saka, Madueke and Tzolis · Liverpool FC — Press conference | Every word: Andoni Iraola on injuries, Arsenal analysis, reaching 'another level' and more · BBC Sport — Iraola on Szoboszlai, Anfield atmosphere and Gravenberch's form · The Guardian — Max Dowman to miss three games after Arsenal’s red card appeal rejected · BBC Sport — Dowman to miss three matches after appeal rejected · Punch Newspapers — Devils battle Blues as Reds, Gunners clash in weekend headliners
