Arsenal will take on Liverpool once again as the two sides meet at Anfield on Thursday for a Round of 16 clash, in the Carabao Cup. These two teams faced each other in the Premier League on Monday, with the Reds sealing a hard-fought 3-1 victory. However, this could turn out to be a whole different ballgame as both the sides are expected to ring in the changes in their starting lineups.
Predicted 3-4-3 Arsenal Lineup Vs Liverpool
Defence
Mikel Arteta might not make wholesale changes in defence, mainly due to an injury-crisis that sees Pablo Mari, Calum Chambers and Shkodran Mustafi all sidelined while Sokratis remains a doubt.
However, we can expect Gabriel to make his return to the side. The Brazilian was surprisingly left out of the starting lineup in the Premier League despite a positive run form, and he will look to prove Arteta wrong with a solid display this midweek.
Gabriel is likely to partner Rob Holding and his compatriot David Luiz in the three-man backline, with Kieran Tierney likely to be shifted in an attacking wingback role. We may see William Saliba starting on the bench this time around.
Meanwhile, in goal, we are expected to witness the debut of new signing Runar Alex Runarsson. The Iceland international should replace Bernd Leno in between the sticks.
Midfield
Arteta could be tempted to recall Dani Ceballos back into the starting lineup following a fantastic performance on Monday. Featuring in the double-pivot, he will be in charge of providing the creativity, in order to help Arsenal unlock the Liverpool defence.
The Spaniard is set to be supported by Mohamed Elneny, with Granit Xhaka likely to be rested for the important Premier League fixture against Sheffield United on the weekend. Joe Willock might have to settle for a place on the bench.
Elsewhere, there has been no update regarding the fitness of Cedric so we may once again see Ainsley Maitland-Niles operating as the right wingback. Such manoeuvre could force Arteta to deploy Tierney on the opposite flank, although Sead Kolasinac is also an option.
Attack
There will be changes in attack, with Willian, in particular, making way for Nicolas Pepe on the right flank. The same can be said for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who will be rested for the Sheffield United game, with Bukayo Saka coming into the side. These two will operate in the wider attacking roles, providing supply to the central striker in Eddie Nketiah.
