Liverpool starting XI vs Arsenal as TWO players RETURN and HUGE Curtis Jones call made

Liverpool travel to the Emirates in a box office top-of-the-table clash against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon in an effort to continue their stellar start to the season.

Fresh off their 'first real test' of the season last weekend at Anfield against Chelsea, where they came away as 2-1 victors through a Curtis Jones masterclass, Liverpool headed out to Germany for a Champions League visit to Leipzig.

In what proved to be a relatively toothless performance from the hosts, Liverpool managed to ease through a 1-0 win where Darwin Nunez made the most of his spot in the starting XI, replacing Diogo Jota who is currently out with a rib injury.

And now, leading into a clutch match against Arsenal, Liverpool arrive in London as favourites bizarrely, in a claim predominantly rooted in the Gunners' injury problems alongside William Saliba's suspension from the match - even though Liverpool themselves are missing essential personnel.

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The contest is destined to be a classic and ahead of the game, we bring you our predicted XI for the match:

Caoimhin Kelleher

Despite often sitting on the bench, wishing to get a more regular place in the starting XI at Liverpool, Alisson Becker's long-term injury sees the Irishman come to the fore.

Against Chelsea he was largely faultless and against a tricky Leipzig side, Kelleher was praised heavily for fans failing to notice the difference between Liverpool's goalkeepers.

Widely considered to be one of, if not the, best backup goalkeeper in the Premier League, Kelleher will relish the opportunity to feature in such an important game and given the form he is in, Liverpool's remarkable defensive record so far this season is in good hands.

Andrew Robertson

Although Kostas Tsimikas was given the nod by Slot to play in midweek, Robertson came on as a substitute later in the game and the move seemed to be one of rotation rather than a more permanent change in personnel.

Robertson has been criticised substantially for his form this season, looking way off his best as speculation rises around whether the Scottish captain will be moved on towards the end of the campaign.

However, in a game of this magnitude, it seems likely that Slot will want to entrust his most experienced left-back to deal with Bukayo Saka - should he play - and Joe Gomez has yet to play at left-back this season after his brief spells there last time under Jurgen Klopp.

Virgil Van Dijk

As Liverpool's defensive maestro, it would be utterly baffling if Slot were to sideline Liverpool's captain this afternoon. He's back to his best after the ACL injury in 2021, and so far this season it seems he's been excelling in first gear, barely having to break sweat.

Despite rival fans' claims that William Saliba is the best centre-back in the Premier League - he sits out tonight with a red card suspension.

Meanwhile, Van Dijk has been faultless in defence, ensuring Liverpool's backline has been substantially more stable this season than the last time out. Will no doubt be the best defender on the pitch.

Ibrahima Konate

After receiving the nod from Slot after Jarrell Quansah played just 45 minutes in Liverpool's opening match of the season against Ipswich, Konate has played almost every minute of this campaign.

The French international, as with Van Dijk, has been largely faultless and the partnership the two have developed together is nothing short of remarkable - although Arsenal fans continue to claim Saliba and Gabriel are superior.

Unless there happen to be any fitness concerns, because of the amount of football Konate has played in recent weeks, Slot will stick with his dominant pairing.

Trent Alexander-Arnold

Having worked incredibly hard on his defensive abilities this season, Liverpool now have a more refined Trent Alexander-Arnold under Arne Slot this season.

But his attacking threat is still very significant and Arsenal should be concerned about the impact he could have on this afternoon's match.

Undoubtedly fitting into a best XI of the season at right-back, Trent has been really impressive so far and this is very much a non-decision by Slot.

Ryan Gravenberch

Since receiving the responsibilities of being Liverpool's defensive midfielder this season, Ryan Gravnberch has not looked back.

Fitting seamlessly into the team as the Reds' deep-lying hybrid player, he will control the tempo of the match, win countless duels and dribble through the middle of the pitch to set up attacking efforts.

Keeping Wataru Endo out of the side, who was key in last season's battles, Slot will have little hesitation over this decision.

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Alexis Mac Allister

While Curtis Jones was given the nod against Chelsea, as Liverpool's South American contingent flew back from international duty late on in the week, Mac Allister should be back this time around.

He was started against Leipzig in midweek and played a full 90 minutes without any injury concerns.

When he's fit, he plays. He's just that good. Gravenberch's defensive pivot partnership with the Argentinian will continue.

Although Jones will be disappointed to miss out after his heroics vs Chelsea last weekend.

Dominik Szoboszlai

Although fans will criticise Szoboszlai's lack of goal contributions as a No10, his work off the ball is really important and he often plays deeper to ensure Liverpool get out of sticky situations unscathed.

As the team's stand-out attacking midfielder, Slot has a lot of belief in what the Hungarian is capable of and whilst Harvey Elliott remains injured, Szoboszlai will probably be given a longer thread than we might normally expect.

Nonetheless, he is still young, improving all the time and Liverpool's midfield looks more threatening with him in it than when he's absent.

Luis Diaz

While the Colombian has started really well in the Premier League this season, scoring five goals, his spot on the left-wing is not secure.

Cody Gakpo was given the green light against Leipzig in midweek and he played really well - as he has done throughout his limited opportunities so far this season.

However, Diaz has electric pace and will put all his energy into taking on Arsenal's full-backs, and given that the Gunners' defence is set to be rejigged following defensive injuries and a suspension, I cannot wait to let Diaz loose at the Emirates.

Darwin Nunez

While Diogo Jota is out with a rib injury, Nunez is the most straightforward stand-in replacement as Liverpool's striker.

On his return to the starting XI in midweek against Leipzig, he managed to get on the scoresheet, should have delivered a penalty for the Reds and was an all-around stand-out positive from the match.

In addition, his Firmino-esque performance against Chelsea last week showed us he has plenty more to offer when given a run of games. A no-brainer decision this week.

Mohamed Salah

As one of Liverpool's greatest ever and the Premier League's best winger of all time, Salah is guaranteed to start.

His goalscoring and playmaking has been magnificent so far this season and his record against Arsenal is really impressive - 14 goal contributions in 16 games.

There is no one in the world that Liverpool would prefer to have on that right hand side than Salah.

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