Premier LeagueLiverpool v Arsenal: Team news

The Northern Ireland full-back was used as a substitute during last weekend’s defeat at Chelsea as he returned from a short fitness lay-off.

Arne Slot explained at his press conference ahead of the meeting with the Gunners that he intends to bring Bradley back into the team with a view to building up his minutes.

“Team selection is as it’s been last week, it’s going to be the same thought process that goes through my mind for the Sunday game,” the Reds head coach told the media on Friday morning.

“If Conor would have been available for Chelsea he would have started already against Chelsea. But he wasn’t. So there’s a fair chance that he will start on Sunday.”

Slot was subsequently asked whether the 3-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last time out will affect his previously stated plan to rotate the squad in the remaining games of the season, with Liverpool already crowned champions.

“I think there are a lot of influences on the decisions I make and one of them is also definitely losing a game of football. So, I’m not looking forward to losing all four of them,” he replied.

“But there are more things going into a line-up than only losing or only rotating, giving the chance to other players. We will wait and see how we play on Sunday.

“But I already said that Conor is going to start because I think he needs playing time as well to get some games under his belt to be better prepared for next season.”

Joe Gomez, who has been out of action since early February, was back in team training with the squad on Friday.

Slot said of the No.2’s recovery: “He is becoming closer and closer [to returning]. He is joining training sessions at the moment, he has been out for a long time.

“The last part of rehab is the hardest. I cannot guarantee it [that Gomez will feature before the end of the season] but he is getting closer and closer.”

An appearance for Andy Robertson in the 4.30pm BST kick-off would be his 250th in league football since joining the Reds in 2017.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta did not address fitness news during his broadcast pre-match media briefing, though Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes and Takehiro Tomiyasu have been on the sidelines.

On Ethan Nwaneri’s recent reduced involvement, he said: “There are moments and players are used more and less. And he has played a lot. He has played probably more than anybody expected for sure.

“In the last few games, because of the games and the context, we decided not to play him that much. It can change very quickly.”

Meanwhile, Arteta said of his side’s willingness to form a guard of honour for the Reds before the game in recognition of their championship success: “They deserve that. They have been the best team, they have been the most consistent.

“What Arne and the coaching staff have done has been fascinating, it has been really good and they fully deserve it. That is sport, when somebody is better you have to applaud and accept and try to reach that level.”

Last match

Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool (May 4): Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Jones, Endo, Salah, Elliott, Gakpo, Jota.

Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Arsenal (May 7): Raya, Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Merino.