Jurgen Klopp suffers early Liverpool blow ahead of Arsenal after Man United draw

Arsenal news as Liverpool face being without a number of key players for next weekends highly-anticipated clash

Arsenal recovered from their 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend to return to the top of the Premier League table on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Second half goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz continued the Gunners’ impressive recent form. Manchester City’s draw with Crystal Palace means the north Londoners are now five points above the champions.

Later in the day, Liverpool’s poor display against Manchester United – which ended 0-0 at Anfield – meant Arsenal ended the week top of the tree. Jurgen Klopp’s men had been widely tipped to dismantle their arch rivals but the Red Devils defended well and kept the likes of Mohamed Salah quiet.

The results over the weekend have left many predicting the Gunners to be Man City’s only challengers for the Premier League title in the second half of the season. However, next weekend’s trip to Merseyside will be a big test for Arteta’s men.

Arsenal have not won at Anfield since 2012, with last season’s 2-2 draw earmarked as one of the games that cost them the title in April. The Christmas classic is set to be a tasty one but Klopp and Liverpool have already suffered an early blow.

Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch was forced off in the 61st minute at Anfield. “We will see. They told me directly after the game that it got worse during the game, so that means it was not ‘bam’,” Klopp said.

“He felt a little bit and didn’t show immediately. We hoped it would go by, it didn’t. There was this really intense spirit with the ball which ended on the 18-yard line with a collision.

“I hope it is not that serious but we have in the next 10 days three more games, so I don’t know if he will be part of them or one of them. We will see, we have to make a scan.”

Gravenberch joins Alexis Mac Allister and Thiago out of action for the Reds, leaving Liverpool incredibly short ahead of the game on Sunday. Klopp continued “It’s a tough period. We play Wednesday against West Ham, they’re flying and playing really well at the moment, then we have Arsenal and Burnley. It’s horrendous.

“We have to make sure we get enough points in this period but then there’s a lot of football to play after that too. It’s important we get through this with as many players as possible.”