Liverpool vs Arsenal: Premier League team news and prediction

Given the respective starts to the season, few could have foreseen just two points separating Liverpool and Arsenal following the November international. And yet, Arsenal have the chance to move above the Reds in the table on Saturday evening, however they'll have to do something they haven't done since 2012 and win a Premier League game at Anfield for that to happen. 

Ahead of this huge Premier League clash, we provide all the pre-match information, including what time this game kicks off, where to watch the action, team news and probable XIs...  

When is kick off?                     

Saturday 20th November, 17:30 GMT                     

Where is the match?                     

Anfield, Liverpool 

What TV channel is it on?                     

Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event    

Form Guide 

Liverpool have endured a slight wobble in recent weeks. Back-to-back 5-0 wins over Watford and Manchester United have masked a run of two victories in six, while nine points earned in that streak is fewer than the likes of Wolves (13), Crystal Palace and Southampton (both 10). In the final round of games prior to the international break, the Reds fell to their first league defeat of the season, losing 3-2 at West Ham. 

As for Arsenal, they are one of the form teams in the division and make the trip to Anfield on a three-game winning run. Only West Ham (15) have claimed more points than the Gunners (14) in their last six games, which includes wins over Aston Villa and Leicester. In the same period, only Chelsea (3) have conceded fewer goals than Mikel Arteta's side (4) with Arsenal currently within two points of Saturday's opponents. 

Team News 

Jurgen Klopp has a number of absentees for the welcome of Arsenal. Harvey Elliott is at least back running after suffering a horrible ankle injury at Leeds earlier in the year, but the youngster is abent here. He joins Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, James Milner and Joe Gomez on the sidelines. Kostas Tsimikas may have to deputise at left-back after Andy Robertson sustained a thigh injury on international duty against Denmark in midweek and the left-back, along with Jordan Henderson, will face a late fitness test to determine his availability. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may, therefore, start against his former employers at Anfield. 

Thomas Partey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both need assessing ahead of the game at Liverpool. The former wasn't away on international duty, but the latter returned to London Colney earlier than Mikel Arteta expected. Granit Xhaka is ruled out, while Sead Kolasinac and Folarin Balogun have returned from international duty carrying knocks, so need assessing, though neither would have started. Arteta has a decision to make at left-back with Kieran Tierney back fit, but his return at the expense of Nuno Tavares would be harsh on the summer signing. 

Probable XIs 

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Thiago, Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Jota, Mane 

Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tierney; Partey, Lokonga; Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe; Aubameyang

Key Battle: Alisson vs Aaron Ramsdale

Alisson endured a performance to forget prior to the international as his fourth-minute own goal at the London Stadium set Liverpool on their way to a 3-2 loss in the capital. The defeat marked just the ninth time Alisson has conceded three or more goals in a Premier League game and he is aware he needs to put in a stronger showing on home turf in order to keep out an Arsenal side that is steadily improving following a dire start to the campaign.

A key reason behind Arsenal's surge up the table has been the consistency of summer signing Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks. Many scoffed at the Gunners' decision to spend big on the young goalkeeper, yet Ramsdale has been a revelation for the north London side. A save success rate of 86.2% is the best in the Premier League this season, and in addition has kept a clean sheet in five of his eight games. Saturday evening's game at Anfield will prove the 23-year-old's toughest test since his arrival from Sheffield United, however.

Score Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal