Liverpool v Arsenal preview: Injury crisis eases for Jurgen Klopp

Jurgen Klopp has received an injury boost ahead of Liverpool's Premier League clash against Arsenal with Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho set to return.

The Reds were without any established central defenders for Friday's 2-2 draw with Exeter in the FA Cup but the recovery of Toure and Sakho is a major boost to Klopp as his side look to get back to winning ways in the league following defeat at West Ham earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will still be without Alexis Sanchez for the trip after Arsene Wenger revealed the Chilean forward will be just short of full fitness.

However, Wenger did reveal the 27-year-old could have a chance of making the league leaders' trip to Stoke on Super Sunday as they look to cement their place at the top of the table.

The Gunners are two points clear of Leicester at the top following their 1-0 win over Newcastle earlier this month and have lost just once from their last 10 matches in all competitions.

Team news

James Milner (calf), Jordon Ibe (hamstring) and Jordan Henderson (foot) could all be back in Klopp's squad after the German made several changes at Exeter.

However, Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Philippe Coutinho, Divock Origi and Daniel Sturridge are all ruled out with hamstring problems, and Joe Gomez and Danny Ings are missing with long-term knee problems. Lucas Leiva may be deployed as a makeshift centre-back if Toure (cramp) or Sakho (knee) fail fitness tests.

Steven Caulker is also available for the hosts after completing his loan move from QPR before the deadline.

Wenger will welcome back Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker after both were rested for Saturday's FA Cup victory over Sunderland.

Tomas Rosicky is back in training but will miss out and Wenger insists the game comes too soon for Sanchez (hamstring).

David Ospina (groin) could be absent and Jack Wilshere (leg), Francis Coquelin, Danny Welbeck and Santi Cazorla (all knee) are definitely out.

Opta stats

Only Manchester United (21) have secured more Premier League wins against Arsenal than Liverpool (16).

Liverpool v Arsenal has seen more hat-tricks than any other fixture in Premier League history (5).

Arsenal have now won 100 Premier League games by a 1-0 scoreline - only Man Utd (110) and Chelsea (115) have won more often with this score.

The last nine league meetings between these clubs at Anfield have seen 35 goals scored (3.9 per game on average).

Ozil has either scored or assisted 16 of Arsenal's last 24 Premier League goals (three goals, 13 assists).

Alberto Moreno has created more goalscoring chances than any other Liverpool player in the league this season (39) and is also the most creative defender in the competition so far in 2015-16.

The Gunners have scored the first goal of the game on 14 occasions in the top flight this season; more often than any other team.

Merson's predictions

If this was Liverpool v Crystal Palace then I would say I might fancy Palace, but you know Liverpool will be running round like you have never seen before.

You look at the way they have played recently and you can bet they won't be anything like that against Arsenal. That's what you're up against when you are at a top team like Arsenal; other teams lift their game against you.

But the Reds are struggling to put a team out and I think Arsenal have to win these kind of matches if they are going to win the league. I don't think Liverpool have got enough players at the moment and Arsenal need to win before facing Stoke and Chelsea.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (6/1 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Arsenal are Sky Bet's marginal 7/5 favourites with Liverpool 9/5 and the draw 5/2. Two of the last three meetings have ended in draws, the pick of Sky Sports pundits Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier ahead of their Anfield showdown. Olivier Giroud to score and win for the Gunners is Price Boosted to 7/2, while Roberto Firmino to score first for Liverpool is 9/1 from 7/1.

See all the odds and Price Boosts here.