Virgil van Dijk has been superb for Liverpool so far this season, but the Dutchman will miss the FA Cup clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Virgil van Dijk will not be part of Liverpool’s squad for the match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Two Premier League title rivals will face off for a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Arsenal drew 1-1 with Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield in December but dropped to fourth in the Premier League after back-to-back defeats to West Ham and Fulham.
The Reds are currently five points clear of the Gunners at the top. Klopp will be without Mohamed Salah and Endo Wataru after both players left for their countries for the Africa Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta is unable to call up Takehiro Tomiyasu as the defender is in Japan with Endo. Before kick-off, Liverpool issued an update on Van Dijk, confirming that the club captain is out due to illness.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was named captain in Van Dijk’s absence at the Emirates Stadium. Diogo Jota, who has entertained the Gunners in recent years, will also miss the Merseyside side’s attack, with Darwin Núñez, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo ahead of the Portuguese forward.
For Arsenal, Arteta assembled a strong squad with Kai Havertz in attack after Gabriel Jesus’ injury. Jesus was nowhere to be seen during Liverpool matches and football training. London understands he will miss the game with a minor knee injury which is not expected to be serious.
The Brazilian has been plagued by two muscle problems this season and has been ruled out for three months in the 2022/23 campaign after undergoing surgery on a knee injury.
