Liverpool team vs Arsenal confirmed as Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong decisions made

Liverpool starting XI vs Arsenal confirmed as Arne Slot makes decisions on Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong for the huge clash at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League

Mikel Arteta and Arne Slot shake hands before the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Liverpool.(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Hugo Ekitike misses out once again for Liverpool as the Reds take on Arsenal in the Premier League. The Frenchman sat out the trip to Fulham at the weekend through a minor injury following a scan.

Alisson Becker starts in goal for Arne Slot's side, with Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez in front of him. Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are in midfield.

Up top, Liverpool has Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo completing its starting XI. Federico Chiesa and Curtis Jones are among the options available to call upon from the bench.

"A lot of importance because we still have a lot to play for in the Premier League," Slot said when asked about the significance of the fixture despite the gap between the sides.

"We're also in the FA Cup, which makes sense because we haven't played there yet, and in the Champions League. These are knockout games and these are games where you can face teams like Arsenal.

"So also for that reason, it is an important game for us to see where we are in a one-off game, to see where we are against a very, very good Arsenal.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot before the Anfield game against Arsenal.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"They've been, for years, very good, and this season probably even better than the years before.

"I think this club (Liverpool) has shown so many times when the club didn't have the greatest form in the league that they were able to win another trophy. And other clubs have shown this recently as well that it's always possible.

"We have a very good and talented group and we've shown this season — Inter Milan away, Real Madrid at home, Atletico Madrid at home, Aston Villa who won maybe 18 from their last 20 games, only lost two, one against us, one against Arsenal, we've beaten Arsenal at home — so yes, we've shown that we can compete with almost every team.

"Maybe [Arsenal's] main strength is they have so many strengths. Or their main strength is they hardly have something that is weak.

"So, they hardly concede goals. They can score from open play, they can score from set-pieces, very good ideas about build-up, can play a long ball.

"They have the complete package. For that reason, they, in my opinion, deserve to be on top this season."

Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Frimpong, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Gakpo; Szoboszlai, Wirtz. Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Robertson, Ramsay, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Chiesa, Jones.

Arsenal starting XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard. Subs: Kepa, White, Jesus, Eze, Martinelli, Norgaard, Madueke, Merino, Lewis-Skelly.