Liverpool vs Arsenal - LIVE!

Arsenal ensured they will be top of the Premier League at Christmas as they earned a 1-1 draw away at Liverpool. Aston Villa's draw with Sheffield United on Friday night meant the Gunners knew they would remain at the summit should they pick up at least a point at Anfield, a ground where they have not win in the League since 2012.

Mikel Arteta was a player in the Arsenal side that day and he watched on more than a decade later as his side made a flying start, with Gabriel heading home from Martin Odegaard's free-kick inside the opening four minutes. The inevitable Liverpool response came though and the hosts were level inside half an hour, as Mohamed Salah, picked out by a stunning pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold, skipped past Oleksandr Zinchenko and smashed a wonderful finish into the top corner.

Bukayo Saka went round Alisson as the Gunners threatened to regain the lead, but he couldn't get the shot away and when the ball came to Gabriel Martinelli, he dragged an effort wide. It remained firmly in the balance throughout the second-half, Liverpool wasting the best chance to edge in front. Salah returned the favour to find Alexander-Arnold as the hosts had three men completely free in the box on the counter, but the right-back hammered a strike against the bar.

Liverpool vs Arsenal latest news

• GOAL! Salah equalises for Liverpool

• GOAL! Gabriel gives Arsenal early lead

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20:46 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta has likened playing at Anfield to being in a washing machine - and watching this breathless encounter it was easy to see why.

Arsenal’s performances this season have been all about control, but this clash at Anfield was played at a frantic and frightening pace.

At the end of it, both sets of players were on their feet and you could hardly blame them.

Crucially for Arsenal, though, they left Anfield with the point that means they will be top of the Premier League on Christmas Day.

Their wait for a first League win at Anfield since 2012 goes on, but Arteta will be pleased with the way his side went toe to toe with Liverpool.

Read our full analysis here!

Klopp slams Odegaard decision

20:14 , Matt Verri

Liverpool felt they should have had a penalty in the first-half, when Martin Odegaard appeared to handle the ball.

Jurgen Klopp has admitted he was bemused by that decision.

He said: "Yes I have seen it. I am pretty sure someone will come to explain it to me why it was not a handball but I don't know how?

"I don't say that the ref can see it because I don't know where he was in that moment.

"But how can a guy in an office see that and not come to the conclusion that maybe, possibly it could be worth the referee having another look?"

Post-match reaction from Jurgen Klopp

20:03 , Matt Verri

"Oh my god, how strong are they? The good news is we are good as well.

"In a game like this, going down early to a set piece is tough, especially with the speed of Arsenal. But the game we played, how we started second half we should have scored.

"We pass instead of shoot, four or five times we do that, it's a lesson. But generally the game is great."

Should Liverpool have won it?

19:45 , Matt Verri

What a chance that was for Alexander-Arnold...

Arsenal player ratings

19:36 , Matt Verri

Oleksandr Zinchenko 5

Beaten too easily for Liverpool's goal as Salah skipped past him. Guilty of losing possession too close to his own goal at times.

Martin Odegaard 6

Set-up Gabriel's goal with a free-kick into the box. Tried to get on the ball and make things happen, but not as effective as usual. Survived a penalty scare for handball.

Declan Rice 8 | Star player

Continues to deliver in the big games. Covered so much ground this evening, including some vital interceptions when Liverpool got in behind. A heroic performance.

Read those ratings in full here!

Simon Collings at Anfield

19:29 , Matt Verri

And breathe. What a bonkers match that was.

Feels like a big point for Arsenal, who will be top of the League on Christmas Day.

They were rocking at points but dug in at a ground where they have so often crumbled.

FT: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:27 , Matt Verri

And that is full-time at Anfield.

The Gunners will be top at Christmas, having picked up at point here.

They took the lead before Salah pegged them back - very little in the second-half.

Both managers will be fairly happy with that.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:25 , Matt Verri

90+4 mins: Having come under real pressure midway through this half, Arsenal have been in impressive in the last 15 minutes or so.

Much more composed, have kept their cool. Will be a good point if they hold on.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:23 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: Saka cuts inside, tries his luck from distance. Will settle for a corner.

Trossard swings it in to the near post, Gabriel looks to flick it on but Van Dijk is strong in the air to head clear.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:22 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Five minutes added on!

Neither side giving the impression that they want to risk what they have...

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:19 , Matt Verri

88 mins: Saka with a clumsy challenge on Gravenberch, looked like he just slipped.

He did indeed, wiping out Gravenberch in the process. Liverpool want a second yellow card but the referee isn't interested.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:17 , Matt Verri

86 mins: A sixth yellow card of the match, as Nketiah takes a heavy touch and then lunges in to make up for it.

All very scrappy - not been much quality in the last 10 minutes or so.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:15 , Matt Verri

84 mins: Anfield erupts... and not with joy.

Referee blows for a free-kick, Salah deemed to have fouled Nketiah. Looked harsh.

And the Egyptian is now booked for his protests.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:12 , Matt Verri

81 mins: Arsenal want a penalty, as Havertz goes down in the box under a challenge from Alexander-Arnold. Got a shove in the back, not going to be overturned though.

The ball falls again for Havertz in the box, who swings a wild left boot at it and slices a shot wide. Woeful.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:11 , Matt Verri

80 mins: Better spell this for Arsenal, as Zinchenko and Rice both have efforts blocked.

There is space there for the Gunners - a bit of quality and they can create a chance to win this.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:08 , Matt Verri

77 mins: A second Arsenal change, another one in forward areas.

Nketiah on for the final 15 minutes or so, replacing Nketiah.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:06 , Matt Verri

75 mins: Gomez with a decent effort, Raya parries it away for a corner. Arsenal clear that away, but only for another one.

Alexander-Arnold finds Nunez, but he heads over the bar.

Simon Collings at Anfield

19:05 , Matt Verri

Pace of this game is just unrelenting. Nearly 75 minutes in and it's still 100mph. Mad.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:03 , Matt Verri

73 mins: OFF THE BAR!

How have Liverpool not scored? Extraordinary.

The Reds break from an Arsenal corner, and they have about a six-on-one.

Salah to Alexander-Arnold, who is completely free. Hammers a strike against the bar.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

19:02 , Matt Verri

71 mins: Odegaard with a bizarre backpass, floated long towards Raya. Didn't want that at all.

Liverpool win it back, Elliott's shot is deflected wide for a corner.

Alexander-Arnold swings it to the back post, Van Dijk nods it back into the middle but Arsenal clear.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:59 , Matt Verri

68 mins: Arsenal make their first change of the night, Trossard on for Martinelli.

The Brazilian was really impressive in the early stages of this match, but he lost his composure as the match went on.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:58 , Matt Verri

67 mins: Diaz coming off - triple Liverpool change.

Gravenberch, Nunez and Elliott on. Jones, Gakpo and Diaz the trio replaced.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:57 , Matt Verri

66 mins: Saka wants a foul as Diaz challenges him, play is waved on though.

Ball goes out, Diaz has stayed down. Holding his knee, looks to have hurt himself in the process of that effort to close Saka down.

Colombian is in a fair bit pain.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:55 , Matt Verri

64 mins: Endo on thin ice, hauling Odegaard down after the Arsenal captain makes a smart turn. He's already on a yellow.

Rice clips the free-kick into the middle, over Gabriel's head though.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:51 , Matt Verri

61 mins: Arsenal starting to click into gear again.

Saka found by Zinchenko, low ball into the box. Martinelli and Havertz again don't make the run.

Odegaard then lays it off to Zinchenko, who slices a shot over the bar.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:49 , Matt Verri

59 mins: Saliba punts the ball into the air, Konate should leave it for Alisson to claim but instead heads it straight up.

Jesus brings it down, fires the ball across the face of goal... nobody there for the Gunners. Would have been a tap-in.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:48 , Matt Verri

57 mins: Arsenal sitting right back, it's all very hard work for them.

Martinelli in particular is getting the occasional bright moment, but he has been wasteful when those chances have come.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:45 , Matt Verri

54 mins: Zinchenko can't stop losing the ball, Arsenal are really struggling.

Gomez of all people has space for the shot, curls a strike towards the far corner. Inches wide.

Applause from a beaming Klopp.

Simon Collings at Anfield

18:43 , Matt Verri

Martinelli is - as Arteta would say - "in the washing machine" right now. He can't keep the ball.

Can see him being hooked.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:43 , Matt Verri

52 mins: End-to-end, both sides having given up on structure.

Saka plays it to Martinelli who is one-on-one with Konate... that's one too many. Great defending from the centre-back.

Salah then drives into the box, looking to get on that left foot again. Gabriel does just about enough to halt him.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:41 , Matt Verri

51 mins: Arsenal looking ragged at the moment.

Odegaard robbed in midfield, gifts the ball away. Salah's shot deflected and easily claimed by Raya.

Zinchenko then loses it... Saka does the same about 30 seconds later. Gunners need to wake up.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:40 , Matt Verri

49 mins: Another yellow card.

Rice drags Gakpo back, halting the Liverpool counter. Can't really complain about that one.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:38 , Matt Verri

47 mins: White's throw-in is to Havertz, who slips and all of a sudden Liverpool are away.

Szoboszlai driving at the Arsenal defence, completely free 25 yards out. Tries to find Salah, but the pass is way behind him.

Back underway!

18:36 , Matt Verri

Up and running for the second-half.

Sky Sports report that Tsimikas has been taken to hospital for what is believed to be a collarbone injury.

Simon Collings at Anfield

18:35 , Matt Verri

Feel like the subs are going to be vital here.

Liverpool have got the likes of Nunez and Elliott to call upon, while I think Arteta will turn to Trossard and Jorginho for control.

Salah delivers again

18:28 , Matt Verri

Not the best of defending from Zinchenko, but it's a superb finish from Salah.

Simon Collings at Anfield

18:25 , Matt Verri

Entertaining game, which is being played at a blistering pace.

Arsenal started well and deservedly took the lead, but Liverpool fought back. Feels like plenty more goals in this.

How Arsenal took the lead...

18:22 , Matt Verri

Gabriel just about kept himself onside.

HT: Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:20 , Matt Verri

Havertz picks up a booking right before half-time - bit harsh. The German and Endo were both grabbing each other.

Regardless, Havertz is now suspended for West Ham's visit on December 28.

That is half-time, brilliant 45 minutes.

Arsenal flew out of the blocks and took the lead through Gabriel, but Salah got Liverpool back on terms.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:18 , Matt Verri

45+3 mins: Nothing subtle about that.

Martinelli too quick for Endo, who decides to just grab the Brazilian and stop the counter. Yellow card.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:18 , Matt Verri

45+2 mins: Three Arsenal players surround Jones, before White slides in to knock the ball out of play.

Gunners will be happy enough to make it to half-time with it level, as Liverpool continue to probe.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:15 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Saka needs to be careful, very nearly brings Gomez down as the full-back skips away from him.

Not convincing from Gomez as he finds himself in space, weak ball into the box.

Four minutes added on.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:12 , Matt Verri

41 mins: Huge chance for Arsenal!

Jesus opens Liverpool up, Saka clean through as Gomez tries to slow him down.

Saka goes past Alisson, can't get the shot away and it falls for Martinelli. He takes it away from Konate, drags the shot wide.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:11 , Matt Verri

40 mins: Arsenal have got real problems when Salah picks up the ball.

Again he runs at Zinchenko, again he has the beating of him. Salah goes for a cute pass, can't pick out Gakpo though and Raya claims.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:09 , Matt Verri

38 mins: Jones tries to drive through the middle of the pitch, Saka and Odegaard across to slam the door shut.

It's a foul though, and Saka shown a yellow card for clipping Jones' heels.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:07 , Matt Verri

37 mins: Saka played in down the right, Diaz back to charge down the cross. Corner.

Swung in right on top of Alisson, who does enough with the punch. Comes back to Saka, clipped in... straight at Alisson.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:05 , Matt Verri

35 mins: Liverpool are going to be forced into a change.

Ball played down the line, Saka shoves Tsimikas and the full-back cleans out Klopp.

Bigger problem for Liverpool is that Tsimikas looks to have injured his shoulder in the process - Gomez on to replace him.

Simon Collings at Anfield

18:04 , Matt Verri

Klopp livid there as Tsimikas wipes him out. Gets up - then sees it was Saka who pushed the left-back - and seemingly calms down.

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal

18:02 , Matt Verri

32 mins: Real test for Arsenal now, Liverpool are full of confidence.

It's one-way traffic at the minute, the Gunners are struggling to get out. Alexander-Arnold having more and more of an influence.

Simon Collings at Anfield

18:00 , Matt Verri

Brilliant pass from Alexander-Arnold, who was like a NFL quarter-back there.

He dropped so deep to get the ball he split Liverpool's centre-backs.

GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal | Mohamed Salah 29'

17:59 , Matt Verri

LIVERPOOL LEVEL!

And who else would it be?

Poor from Zinchenko, lets Salah cut onto his left foot far too easily. The Egyptian goes just that and slams a finish into the top corner at the near post.

Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

17:57 , Matt Verri

27 mins: Chance here for Liverpool, as Jones drives into all sorts of space. Arsenal's midfield nowhere to be seen.

Poor choice from Jones though, goes for goal from distance. Blocked.

Simon Collings at Anfield

17:56 , Matt Verri

Declan Rice covering so much ground in midfield.

One minute he is pressing Endo, who is anchoring Liverpool's midfield, the next he is sweeping behind Arsenal's centre-backs to clear a header. Crazy.

Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

17:53 , Matt Verri

23 mins: Sensational from Martinelli, skips past Alexander-Arnold and then Endo to get Arsenal out of trouble.

Konate slows him down with a good challenge, but Arsenal keep the ball. Visitors continue to do a good job of controlling things.

Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

17:51 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Liverpool want a penalty - did Odegaard handle the ball as he slipped?

VAR checking as the Gunners break, slick move ends with Odegaard dragging a shot wide of the far post.

Check is over, Arsenal survive that scare.

Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

17:49 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Boos as Arsenal pass the ball around, the Gunners are holding their nerve though.

That is until Gabriel gives it away, Liverpool can break. Rice has a couple of nibbles at Salah, whistle goes after the second one. Free-kick.

Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

17:47 , Matt Verri

16 mins: It's all very frantic all of a sudden, Anfield crowd adding to the chaotic feel. Screaming at everything.

More cheers as Szoboszlai sees the ball out for a goal-kick.

Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

17:44 , Matt Verri

14 mins: Side-netting. Anfield briefly fooled.

Gakpo flicks the ball on, Zinchenko out of position and Saka is free at the back post. Volley hits the side-netting, as celebrations start and then swiftly end around the ground.

Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

17:44 , Matt Verri

13 mins: Saka skips away from Tsimikas and Arsenal are away again.

Martinelli drives at the Liverpool defence, slides the ball through to Jesus in the box and he blasts a shot over the bar.

Simon Collings at Anfield

17:43 , Matt Verri

Arsenal were about to take another short goal-kick before Arteta started barking orders out. Raya then goes long.

Wonder if that'll be the play today. One to watch.

Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

17:41 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Here come Liverpool, for the first time in the match. Endo pings the ball out to Diaz, he tries to beat White on the outside... has to settle for a corner.

Gabriel heads it straight up, Odegaard volleys it straight up, before Saka finally does get it clear.

Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

17:39 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Boos around Anfield, as Saka goes down holding his face and the referee stops play.

Tsimikas caught the Arsenal man as he tried to hold him off - looked like a hand to the chin. Whatever it was, Saka is fine.

Simon Collings at Anfield

17:37 , Matt Verri

A dream start for Arsenal.

Gabriel turned to the away fans after that goal and gave the air a huge punch.

Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal

17:37 , Matt Verri

7 mins: Arsenal made a flying start at Anfield last season - can they make it count this time?

So far, so good. Arteta could not have asked for more.

GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal | Gabriel 4'

17:34 , Matt Verri

ARSENAL TAKE THE LEAD!

Good turn from Havertz, Konate hacks him down and it's a free-kick in a decent position.

Odegaard clips it in, Gabriel rises highest and loops the header past Alisson!

Liverpool 0-0 Arsenal

17:32 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Well... Arsenal have flown out of the blocks!

Saka puts a superb low ball into the middle, Alisson parries it out to Jesus. His volley is deflected behind for a corner.

It's swung in by Saka, flicked on at the near post and straight to Alisson. Gunners really sharp already.

KICK-OFF!

17:30 , Matt Verri

Up and running at Anfield!

Simon Collings at Anfield

17:28 , Matt Verri

I think the Liverpool fans got Klopp's message - 'You'll Never Walk Alone' being belted out loud and proud by the home supporters.

Here we go!

17:25 , Matt Verri

Teams will be in the tunnel any minute.

A lot of talk in these kind of matches at Anfield that it's just about getting through the first 20 minutes.

Arsenal did more than that last season - they were 2-0 up inside half an hour. They'd be happy enough with that again...

Klopp: Too soon to think about title race

17:19 , Matt Verri

Jurgen Klopp insists he is not thinking about the Premier League title race going into this evening's huge clash.

The Liverpool boss says it's too soon to be reading much into the result.

Klopp said: "It is matchday 18. There are 20 games left after. We're not through it if we win. They are not through it if they win.

"I hadn't really thought about [the title race], I couldn't really care less. I've only been thinking about this game not the rest of the season.

"There might be a moment, I don't know when, March or April maybe, where you think right, six-pointer, you win today and you are out of the way or whatever. That is a long way away and nobody thinks about it."

Earlier today...

17:13 , Matt Verri

West Ham beat Manchester United in the lunchtime kick-off this afternoon, and the four 3pm matches have now come to an end.

Victory for Spurs moves them up to fourth and only three points off Arsenal, though they have played a game more.

Arteta: Arsenal can silence Anfield crowd

17:07 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal can “silence” Anfield by being dominant, as he urged his side to end their 11-year wait for a win at Liverpool.

Arsenal go into their top-of-the-table clash on Merseyside just one point ahead of Liverpool.

The Gunners have not won at Anfield since 2012, when Arteta was playing, and Jurgen Klopp has called on Liverpool fans to bring the noise on Saturday.

Arteta is predicting “a great atmosphere” and has challenged Arsenal to manage the “emotional state” of the game.

“You have to play better than them,” he said. “You will silence the crowd if you are dominant and better than them, just like in any other ground. There is no difference.

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere. The two teams are in a really good moment, really good position, really strong position.

“For this group of players now this is the third, fourth time that they have been there (Anfield). A few years ago, it was the first time for most of them and maybe you have to clarify and explain certain things. I don’t think that is necessary now.”

30-minute warning!

17:02 , Matt Verri

Kick-off not far away now at Anfield.

Warm-ups well underway - not enough fans in yet to give Klopp the atmosphere he has demanded.

Klopp talks up Arsenal

16:54 , Matt Verri

Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for Arsenal in his pre-match press conference, insisting it is no surprise that the Gunners look like serious contenders for the Premier League title.

"They looked like that last year," Klopp said.

"Our game here with them, they were outstanding until we found a way into the game. In the end, we should have won it.

"They bring in Rice and Havertz, that doesn't make you worse. They have a good mix of physicality and technique. They are well-coached, well-drilled."

Arteta backs Arsenal's Super League statement

16:48 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta has said Arsenal are “privileged” to play in the Premier League after they became the latest English club to publicly denounce the new European Super League plot.

Arsenal have followed Chelsea, Tottenham and both Manchester clubs in issuing a statement to pledge their commitment to UEFA competitions.

A revised proposal for a 64-team Super League was announced on Thursday after the European Court of Justice ruled that UEFA and FIFA rules banning breakaway competitions were contrary to EU law.

Asked for his reaction to Arsenal’s statement, Arteta said: “Very clear. Exactly the same. We remain in the same position. We love playing in the Champions League and we’ll continue to do so.

“I think we are so privileged to have the league that we have, to have the competition that we have, to have the uncertainty that we have every single game with what is going to happen.

“[It is] what drives, I think this league, and a lot of football supporters to watch it every time, because it is beautiful.

“Whatever the decision of any club, the soul of this game belongs to the supporters as they make this possible and then it is the players."

Simon Collings at Anfield

16:43 , Matt Verri

Can Arsenal get some joy out wide with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli?

Gunners unchanged

16:38 , Matt Verri

Darwin Nunez drops to the bench for Liverpool, amid his long run without a run. Cody Gakpo gets the nod to lead the line.

Curtis Jones starts in midfield, with Ryan Gravenberch only on the bench.

Arsenal go with an unchanged lineup as expected - Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny are both fit enough to be named among the substitutes.

Arsenal team news

16:32 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Odegaard,Rice, Havertz, Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

Subs: Ramsdale, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Kiwior, Cedric, Trossard, Jorginho, Nelson, Elneny

Liverpool team news

16:31 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones; Diaz, Gakpo, Salah

Subs: Kelleher, Gomez, Quansah, Clark, Bradley, McConnell, Gravenberch, Elliott, Nunez

Stand by...

16:26 , Matt Verri

Team news coming up very shortly!

We're not expecting any surprises in the Arsenal lineup, but Jurgen Klopp has decisions to make in midfield and up front.

All will be revealed in the next few minutes...

Anfield hoodoo to end?

16:20 , Matt Verri

Nowhere has proved as much of an unhappy hunting ground for Arsenal as Anfield.

In eight away games against Liverpool in the Premier League since Jurgen Klopp was appointed in 2015, the Gunners have lost by an aggregate score of 27-9.

Their last win there was 11 years ago, when Mikel Arteta was still playing, but now feels like the moment for Arsenal to end their Anfield hoodoo.

Arteta knows all about the challenges of playing there and during an interview with Marca four years ago he spoke about having a feeling of ‘pájara’, of being stuck.

“I think I explained that sometimes when you don’t feel at your best and you feel that they are on top of you, and you cannot get out of that washing machine,” Arteta said on Friday.

“You try to overcome those situations but that’s learning - it happened once and it didn’t happen again.”

Arteta will hope his players have learned from their chastening experiences at Anfield and they certainly seem a different team this season.

Read our full preview here!

How it stands...

16:13 , Matt Verri

Aston Villa's draw with Sheffield United last night means that it will be either Arsenal or Liverpool sitting top of the table at Christmas.

The Gunners, above Villa on goal difference are one point clear of Liverpool as it stands, with Manchester City four points further back.

A win this evening and things will be looking very pretty for Arsenal...

Klopp: Bring the noise or give your ticket up

16:05 , Matt Verri

Jurgen Klopp surprisingly hit out at the Anfield atmosphere this week and urged Liverpool fans to up their game considerably.

The rampant Reds sailed into the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a one-sided 5-1 thrashing of woeful West Ham on Wednesday night, but Klopp was left distinctly unimpressed with the efforts of the Anfield crowd.

In his post-match press conference, a frustrated Klopp said: "I have to say, I thought in the first half when the boys played really exceptional, I was not overly happy with the atmosphere behind me.

"I asked people: ‘What do you want?’ We changed a lot of things, we dominated West Ham like crazy, we missed chances.

"If I was in the stands, I would be on my toes, 1000 per cent. I don’t know if the Man United game was that bad that we have to say: ‘Oh, sorry that we didn’t smash them’. We need Anfield on Saturday.

"We need Anfield on their toes, from the first second. Without me having an argument with the opposition coach or whatever, we need Anfield from the first second.

"If you really want - if it’s too much football in December or whatever, I don’t know, sorry but we have to play it as well - but if you’re not in the right shape, give your ticket to somebody else.”

Fast Gunners start again?

15:57 , Matt Verri

Arsenal were sensational in the opening half an hour at Anfield last season.

Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus scored to give the Gunners a two-goal lead, but Mohamed Salah pulled one back before the break and Roberto Firmino equalised with just three minutes remaining.

Sure Arteta would have been keen to focus on the start to that match this week...

Arteta keen to avoid Klopp clash

15:51 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta insists he will not get involved in any touchline spats with Jurgen Klopp this evening.

Tempers flared at Anfield two seasons ago, when Arteta and Klopp had a heated exchange on the touchline.

The incident ignited the Anfield crowd and similar happened last season when Granit Xhaka and Trent Alexander-Arnold squared up to each other on the pitch.

And asked if he will avoid any trouble with Klopp this time, Arteta simply said: “There won’t be any.”

Gunners top at Christmas?

15:43 , Matt Verri

You won't hear Mikel Arteta or his players say it ahead of kick-off, but you'd imagine Arsenal would not be at all disappointed with a draw this evening.

Klopp hits back at Nunez talk

15:37 , Matt Verri

It's now 11 matches without a goal for Darwin Nunez.

Despite that poor run, Jurgen Klopp was in no mood to discuss whether his striker's place in the Liverpool side could be under threat.

"I think in the moment we're second in the league, which is not that bad, but because we have to talk every day about us, you make stories up and all of a sudden from everything is fine after a 0-0 [against Manchester United] we start discussing who is not scoring and the frontline is not firing and stuff like this," Klopp said.

"If I would read all these things, I get told sometimes that it's a story and then I look at the headlines and just think, 'Oh my God. I really feel for you all that you have to make these stories up'."

He added: "Could he have scored more goals? Yes, of course. Could he have more situations? I don’t think so."He has all the moments, now we have to work on the last touch."

Trossard: We must believe we can win at Anfield

15:29 , Matt Verri

Leandro Trossard has told his Arsenal team-mates to believe now is the moment to end their 11-year wait for a win at Anfield.

The Gunners have a miserable record away at Liverpool, and they last won there in the Premier League in 2012, when current manager Mikel Arteta was still playing.

But Trossard believes Arsenal have the quality to match Liverpool and they can finally claim a long-awaited win at Anfield.

“They (Liverpool) have such a good squad and such a great team, and you can tell how they are evolving this season as well, how well they are doing,” he told Canal+.

“It is always a really tough place to go to get points from, so we have to be so, so good in the game and on the day to get away with points and, hopefully, the three points.

“If everyone is at their best, we can beat them there. Obviously, there are numerous factors that can decide a game - but we have to believe in ourselves that we can win there. Hopefully we can do that.”

Arsenal set to bring in former Liverpool club doctor

15:22 , Matt Verri

Arsenal are set to appoint Crystal Palace's Zafar Iqbal as their new head of medical services.

The Gunners have been on the lookout for a new chief club doctor since April, when the popular Gary O’Driscoll left the Emirates Stadium after 14 years in order to join Manchester United.

First-team doctor Florence Newton has stepped up to the role on a temporary basis since then, but Standard Sport understands that Arsenal are now poised to poach Iqbal from their London rivals.

Iqbal is expected to work out his notice period at Palace, where he is the head of sports medicine, before making the switch at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Iqbal has been at Selhurst Park since the summer of 2015 and the days of Alan Pardew, having left his "dream job" as Liverpool club doctor months earlier for personal reasons following a family illness.

Stage is set!

15:16 , Matt Verri

Perfect evening for it...

Standard Sport prediction

15:08 , Matt Verri

This one is very difficult to call.

Liverpool have been near-perfect at home this season but did show signs of vulnerability against Manchester United last weekend, when they were stifled by a workmanlike low block.

Arsenal boast the league's joint-best defence on the road (along with United) and may not fly out the traps like Liverpool might want them to. The Gunners are seriously better than United on the break, too.

Expect this one to go down to the wire, where Arsenal's uncanny knack for late goals could swing it.

Arsenal to win, 2-1.

Arsenal team news

15:02 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta is set to name an unchanged team for the third Premier League game in a row.

The Gunners have a handful of fitness concerns, but not with the 11 players who started their previous two League games.

Jurrien Timber (knee), Fabio Vieira (groin) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf) are all expected to miss out. Midfielder Jorginho was absent for Sunday’s win over Brighton with a foot problem and is being assessed ahead of the trip to Anfield.

Thomas Partey has been out since October with a hamstring injury and is itching to get back playing over the festive period, but he will not return in time to feature here.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

Liverpool team news

14:56 , Matt Verri

Darwin Nunez is expected to continue up front for Liverpool this evening.

Although the Uruguayan failed to score as the Reds smashed West Ham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night, there is every chance he gets the nod to lead the line

Cody Gakpo started as the central striker and scored in midweek but Jurgen Klopp will likely trust his first-choice starters for the visit of Arsenal.

The key questions come in midfield, where Ryan Gravenberch is fit after being rested due to fatigue. However, Curtis Jones starred with two goals against West Ham.

Alexis Mac Allister and Diogo Jota are both nearing returns from injury but this match will come too soon, while Andy Robertson won't be back until January and the likes of Joel Matip, Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic remain long-term absentees.

Predicted Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Endo, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Diaz

How to watch Liverpool vs Arsenal

14:50 , Matt Verri

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event, with coverage beginning at 5pm.

Live stream: Subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Sky Go app.

Live blog: You can follow all the action here, with expert analysis from Simon Collings at the ground.

Good afternoon!

14:45 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport's LIVE coverage of Liverpool vs Arsenal!

Huge evening ahead - probably the biggest game of the Premier League season so far. Both sides have the chance to sit top of the table at Christmas, and make a major statement in the title race. Promises to be a match to remember.

We'll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5:30pm GMT. Stay with us!