MatchLiverpool v Arsenal: Team news

The Reds host the Premier League leaders at Anfield on Sunday and can once again call on Van Dijk after the centre-back missed the midweek draw with Chelsea.

Thiago has also returned to full training and will be assessed before a decision is made on his participation, while Luis Diaz is likely to be held back until the subsequent trip to Leeds United.

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Jürgen Klopp explained at his pre-match press conference on Friday morning: “Virgil, completely normal, was back in training. Luis and Thiago training completely normal.

“The plan with Luis is that he will be available 100 per cent for Leeds. Again, it looks good, everything is fine, but it was a long, long injury and so we have to be careful. We will probably not involve him for Sunday.

“Thiago looks slightly different. He was not out that long, trained now three, four times with the team and might be available. But we have to check how he feels today.”

Naby Keita has missed the last two games with a muscle injury, while Stefan Bajcetic and Calvin Ramsay are long-term absentees for Liverpool.

A victory for the hosts this weekend would see Klopp become only the fourth Reds boss in history to reach 100 Anfield league wins, emulating Tom Watson, Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley.

Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, kept his cards close to his chest regarding the fitness news for his table-topping team.

The Spaniard confirmed Bukayo Saka is ‘fine’ after being on the bench last weekend following an illness, while one of the injured members of his squad might be ready to feature again in the 4.30pm BST kick-off.

Asked at his media briefing on Friday about William Saliba and any returning players, Arteta replied: “No, no real changes in the rest of the players that were still injured.

“We have some hope with one of them, tomorrow maybe he is able to train, but we have to see. I’m not going to tell you [who that is].”

Last match

Chelsea 0-0 Liverpool (April 4): Alisson, Gomez, Matip, Konate, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Henderson, Jones, Jota, Nunez, Firmino.

Arsenal 4-1 Leeds United (April 1): Ramsdale, White, Holding, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, Odegaard, Trossard, Jesus, Martinelli.