Liverpool have been handed a major triple injury boost as they prepare for a mouth-watering Premier League showdown with Arsenal at Anfield this weekend. Manager Arne Slot confirmed that captain Virgil van Dijk**, versatile full-back Conor Bradley, and midfield dynamo Alexis Mac Alliste are all fit and available for selection — news that could significantly tilt the balance in what is already shaping up to be one of the defining fixtures of the early season.
This clash isn’t just another game. It’s a meeting of two heavyweights who both harbour ambitions of winning the Premier League title. For Liverpool, still basking in the glow of an unbeaten start under their new manager, the return of key figures couldn’t be better timed. For Arsenal, who are eager to prove they can finally topple both Manchester City and Liverpool in a sustained title challenge, the task at Anfield is daunting — and it has just got harder.
Liverpool’s build-up to the Arsenal encounter was almost thrown into disarray earlier this week in a thriller against Newcastle United at St James’ Park. The Reds edged to a 3-2 victory in extraordinary fashion, with academy star Rio Ngumoha scoring in the 100th minute to maintain Liverpool’s perfect record.
But the game will be remembered just as much for the brutal challenge on Virgil van Dijk as it will for the dramatic finale. Newcastle winger **Anthony Gordon** lunged into a reckless tackle that left the Dutch defender in a heap. The studs caught him high on the calf, sending shockwaves of concern through the Liverpool bench and among travelling supporters.
Referee Chris Kavanagh had little choice but to brandish a straight red card, leaving Newcastle to play much of the match with 10 men. Van Dijk, after lengthy treatment, dusted himself off and soldiered on, but the sight of Liverpool’s captain limping raised doubts about his availability for the Arsenal match. Thankfully for the Reds, Slot moved quickly to calm fears after the final whistle, later confirming in his press conference
Those words will have come as a huge relief to supporters. Losing Van Dijk for any length of time — especially before facing Arsenal’s ferocious attack — would have been a devastating blow.
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It’s no exaggeration to say that Van Dijk’s presence transforms Liverpool. At 34, he is no longer the physically unshakable colossus who arrived from Southampton in 2018, but his influence remains immense. His positional intelligence, organisational skills, and leadership are unrivalled in the squad.
Against Arsenal, Van Dijk’s battle with Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and the ever-dangerous Gabriel Martinelli will be pivotal. Arsenal thrive on quick transitions, wide overloads, and clever movement inside the box. Van Dijk’s calmness under pressure, aerial dominance, and ability to marshal a defensive line are exactly what Liverpool will need to cope with the Gunners’ fluid attacking play.
Moreover, his psychological presence matters. For Liverpool’s younger defenders — such as Jarell Quansah and Ibrahima Konaté — knowing that Van Dijk is alongside them provides an invaluable sense of security. For opponents, his very shadow can cause hesitation. Had Van Dijk been ruled out, Arsenal would have scented vulnerability. Instead, the Dutchman will stand tall at Anfield, bruises and all.
The second piece of positive news for Liverpool is the return of Conor Bradley, the Northern Irish full-back who missed much of pre-season through injury. Bradley had been a revelation last year, filling in for Trent Alexander-Arnold and earning plaudits for his defensive tenacity and energy up and down the right flank.
He made a late cameo at Newcastle, replacing Florian Wirtz in the 80th minute, but Slot has now confirmed that Bradley has completed a full week of training and is much closer to full match fitness.“The positive is that Conor Bradley only had one or two training sessions before the Newcastle game, and he has trained all this week,” Slot explained.
Bradley’s availability is crucial given Liverpool’s current full-back situation. Jeremie Frimpong remains sidelined with a hamstring issue and is not expected back until after the international break. That forced Slot into a tactical reshuffle at Newcastle, with Dominik Szoboszlai⁴— a natural midfielder — deployed as a makeshift right-back.
While Szoboszlai adapted admirably, it was far from ideal. Against Arsenal’s tricky wide men, Liverpool will need a specialist in that role. Bradley, with his defensive resilience and willingness to overlap, gives Slot more tactical balance and restores natural width to Liverpool’s right-hand side.
The third injury boost concerns Alexis Mac Allister, who has shaken off a minor knock and returned to full training. The World Cup-winning Argentine has become an essential cog in Liverpool’s midfield machine since joining from Brighton.
Mac Allister brings control and intelligence to the heart of the pitch. His passing range, tactical awareness, and pressing ability allow Liverpool to dictate tempo and transition quickly from defence to attack. Slot has built a midfield unit that blends flair with industry, and Mac Allister is central to that balance.
Against Arsenal, whose midfield trio of Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, and Kai Havertz will look to dominate possession, Mac Allister’s role will be even more critical. He will be tasked with breaking up play, linking with Wirtz and Szoboszlai, and ensuring Liverpool are not overrun in central areas.
The fixture between Liverpool and Arsenal has long been one of the Premier League’s most compelling rivalries. From the iconic 1989 title decider at Anfield to the breathless 4-4 draw in 2009, these two clubs have a history of producing unforgettable matches.
Recent years have seen Liverpool dominate at home in this fixture. Arsenal haven’t won a league game at Anfield since 2012, a statistic that haunts them every season. Yet Mikel Arteta’s current side are arguably the best-equipped Arsenal team in over a decade to break that hoodoo.
Last season, Arsenal pushed Manchester City to the brink in the title race, only to fall short. This year, they are determined to go one step further — but standing in their way are both City and a resurgent Liverpool.
For Liverpool, beating Arsenal would be more than just three points. It would be a statement: a declaration that under Slot, the Reds are not merely rebuilding, but ready to compete at the very highest level.
This clash promises to be a fascinating tactical duel.
Liverpool’s Approach: Slot has maintained the high-intensity pressing that defined the Klopp era, but with subtle tweaks. Liverpool now look more compact in transition, with Mac Allister often dropping deeper to shield the defence. The return of Bradley allows for greater width, while Van Dijk’s leadership stabilises the backline.
Arsenal’s Game Plan: Arteta will likely stick to his trusted 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 hybrid, with Rice anchoring midfield, Ødegaard pulling strings, and Saka/Martinelli stretching the pitch. Arsenal will look to exploit spaces behind Liverpool’s full-backs and test their defensive
Beyond ge role. Arsenal know they have struggled at Anfield for years. The atmosphere, the noise, the pressure — it often overwhelms them. For Liverpool, that aura of invincibility at home is something they cherish and rely upon.
Having Van Dijk fit reinforces that psychological advantage. He embodies calmness and resilience, and his mere presence reassures both teammates and fans. Similarly, the returns of Bradley and Mac Allister mean Liverpool enter the game stronger, not weaker, than they appeared after Newcastle
It may be early in the season, but matches like these shape narratives. Should Liverpool beat Arsenal, they would not only extend their perfect start but also establish themselves as Manchester City’s chief rivals. A victory would send a powerful message across the league: Slot’s Liverpool are serious contenders.
For Arsenal, a win at Anfield would be monumental. It would end years of frustration and prove they can win the toughest away fixtures. Lose, however, and doubts will resurface about their mentality on the biggest stage.
Arne Slot couldn’t have asked for better news before one of the biggest games of his Liverpool tenure so far. The return of Virgil van Dijk, Conor Bradley, and Alexis Mac Allister** restores strength, balance, and belief to his side.
The stakes are immense. The crowd will be electric. And with Liverpool at full strength, Arsenal will know they are in for a titanic battle at Anfield.
