Arsenal will host Liverpool in the FA Cup this weekend.
This weekend, Liverpool will visit the Emirates for their exciting FA Cup third-round match, which will be Arsenal’s first match of 2024. With only one victory in their previous five games, the Gunners’ opening game of the year will present a significant challenge as they attempt to get back on track.
After learning that Oleksandr Zinchenko missed their Premier League match against Fulham due to a “slight calf issue,” Mikel Arteta is now concerned about his own ailment. The Ukrainian has not been given a comeback date, but in the lead-up to Arsenal’s match against Liverpool, his absence leaves them without a clear choice at left back.
The Gunners should be concerned about this, but Jurgen Klopp has disclosed a fitness setback of his own. Dominik Szoboszlai was replaced during their New Year’s Day victory over Newcastle United due to a hamstring injury, and the manager provided some background information at the press conference held following the game.
“The intention was to take him off, but he felt his hamstring in the previous scenario, so we were somehow a minute behind schedule. We will have to wait as we are currently unsure of its breadth.”
With his inventive play and knack for long-range goals, Szoboszlai has significantly improved Liverpool’s midfield since joining in the summer. Since joining the Reds, the 23-year-old has appeared in every Premier League game and established himself as a staple in Klopp’s midfield.
His probable absence from the match against Arsenal will undoubtedly be felt, as he now adds himself to the expanding list of injured players that now includes Kostas Tsimikas, Andrew Robertson, and Joël Matip. Although Harvey Elliott, Ryan Gravenberch, and other summer additions Alexis Mac Allister are available for Klopp to use, Arsenal will undoubtedly benefit from Szoboszlai’s lack of danger as they attempt to overwhelm Liverpool on Sunday.