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Arsenal XI vs Chelsea: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Carabao Cup
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Mikel Arteta has several fitness concerns to contend with for Arsenal’s trip to take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.
The Gunners are away at Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the semi-final tie, looking to continue their charge in all four competitions.
William Saliba and Leandro Trossard are both doubts for the match, having missed the FA Cup win over Portsmouth last time out.
The absence of Saliba in particular would be a significant blow for Arteta, who is already short of options in defence.
Riccardo Calafiori is “weeks” away from returning with a muscle injury, with Cristhian Mosquera similarly not close to being available again after an ankle issue.
Doubt: William Saliba
Arsenal
The Arsenal boss also gave no clarity on Piero Hincapie’s potential return date, after the defender limped off against Liverpool a week ago with a hamstring issue.
The 24-year-old is definitely out of the Chelsea match and, if Saliba is ruled out as well, that leaves Arteta potentially having to start Christian Norgaard again alongside Gabriel in defence.
Myles Lewis-Skelly has struggled for form recently, so Jurrien Timber could shift over to left-back with Ben White starting on the right.
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Arteta has a decision to make in goal. Kepa Arrizabalaga has started in goal in all of Arsenal’s domestic cup matches so far this season, and it remains to be seen whether the Arsenal manager sticks with him or brings David Raya into the side.
The favoured midfield three of Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard could all return, while Gabriel Martinelli will hope to keep his place after a hat-trick against Portsmouth.
Up front, Kai Havertz is unlikely to be ready to start. Gabriel Jesus has looked sharper than Viktor Gyokeres, but there is every chance Arteta opts to keep trying to play his summer signing into form.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Kepa; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Injured: Calafiori, Hincapie, Mosquera, Dowman
Doubts: Saliba, Trossard
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date and time: 8pm GMT on Wednesday, January 14, 2026
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Szoboszlai, 74)
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!
An absolutely sensational free-kick goal from Dominik Szoboszlai. This one might be even better than the one against Arsenal.
From a central position, around 25 yards out, it’s an absolutely sensational hit which swerves out of reach of Donnarumma, who doesn’t even dive, and slams into the net off the post.
Amazing. And what could that mean for the title race? Arsenal staying nine points clear as it stands.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Szoboszlai, 74)
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!
An absolutely sensational free-kick goal from Dominik Szoboszlai. This one might be even better than the one against Arsenal.
From a central position, around 25 yards out, it’s an absolutely sensational hit which swerves out of reach of Donnarumma, who doesn’t even dive, and slams into the net off the post.
Amazing. And what could that mean for the title race? Arsenal staying nine points clear as it stLiverpool vs Man City LIVE! Premier League match updates, news, score, stream and highlights – live on Sky Sports
Sunday 8 February 2026 18:05, UK
Second Half: Liverpool 1-0 Man City – live on Sky
Szoboszlai scores OUTRAGEOUS free-kick! View post
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Ekitike missed huge chance as Liverpool came to life View post | Teams
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Liverpool vs Man City LIVE! Premier League match updates, news, score, stream and highlights – live on Sky Sports
Sunday 8 February 2026 16:30, UK
First Half: Liverpool 0-0 Man City – live on Sky
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Updates, tables and teams
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Title-chasing Man City face huge test at Anfield | Teams
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Live PL table | Sky Bet | Latest: Liverpool | Man City
Liverpool FC team news vs. Man City: 6 defenders unavailable for Arne Slot
Liverpool have six defenders unavailable for their game against Man City, with Arne Slot‘s hand forced at centre-back and right-back.
Liverpool are down to their bare bones at the back, with six defenders unable to start as the Reds try to keep pace with their top-four competitors in the Premier League.
Liverpool Injury & Absentee List
PlayerInjury TypeStatusExpected ReturnJoe GomezKneeDoubtMan City (H)Jeremie FrimpongGroinUnavailableEarly MarchConor BradleyKnee (Surgery)UnavailablePre-season 2026Giovanni LeoniACL (Surgery)UnavailableNext seasonAlexander IsakFibula FractureUnavailableLate MarchStefan BajceticHamstringRehabLate FebruaryJayden DannsHamstringRehabFebruaryWellity LuckyHamstringUnavailableApril
Joe Gomez‘s fitness is the main talking point ahead of the match at Anfield, given his presence would provide cover at centre-back and full-back.
He didn’t train on Thursday, though, and Slot explained: “We have a little bit of hope that he might train on Saturday.
“So not available to start, but maybe available to help the team if needed during the game because, as you know, there are not that many defenders available at the moment.”
With Giovanni Leoni out until next season, academy defenders Amara Nallo and Wellity Lucky have made the bench in the Premier League a combined five times this season.
The latter is injured, however, so unable to come in against Man City.
Nallo got injured during Tuesday’s UEFA Youth League exit to MSK Zilina, but was named to start for the U21s on Saturday, meaning he will not be available at Anfield.
As for Lucky’s injury, the 20-year-old is set to be sidelined until April due to a hamstring injury sustained in training midway through January.
Also on Liverpool’s list of absentees is right-back Conor Bradley, who will miss the rest of the campaign.
Like Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong is currently injured but his outlook is more positive than his teammate’s.
Slot gave a brief update on the flying Dutchman’s fitness, saying he “will definitely not train this week” due to his ongoing groin problem.
With Nallo featuring at academy level, Liverpool will be without six defensive options against Man City.
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Liverpool Predicted XI vs. Man City: Szoboszlai right-back, no start for Jones
Liverpool’s available squad vs. Man City
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Robertson, Ramsay
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister, Endo, Nyoni
Forwards: Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike, Ngumoha, Chiesa
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