Liverpool have rebuilt their defensive base
Andoni Iraola’s side have won three of their last four league matches and lost only once in the competition. Four clean sheets in six games have made it easier to attack without every lost ball becoming an immediate problem.
Arsenal have recorded five clean sheets in eight league matches. Liverpool must protect the space behind midfield while still pressing high enough to prevent the champions from building comfortably.
The front four give Liverpool several routes
Bradley Barcola, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak can exchange positions across the attack. Their movement can pull defenders away from the centre and create a direct route for runners from midfield.
Isak has scored six goals in his last six Premier League appearances. The challenge is to keep the four attackers connected rather than leaving them in separate one-on-one duels.
Both squads have important fitness concerns
Arsenal are monitoring Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, while Liverpool have concerns over Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. Dominik Szoboszlai and Noni Madueke are also doubts before the final training sessions.
The teams had different League Cup outcomes: Arsenal went out to Fleetwood on penalties, while Liverpool eliminated Chelsea in a shootout.
Recent meetings have produced only one goal
Arsenal won 1-0 on 31 August 2025, and the teams drew 0-0 on 8 January 2026. Those results suggest that control without the ball may matter as much as attacking reputation.
A Liverpool victory would reduce the gap to three points. Arsenal can instead strengthen their position alongside leaders Manchester City before the winter schedule becomes crowded.