Liverpool vs Arsenal: Predicted Starting Line-Ups – Wilshere + Coutinho To Start?

Liverpool play host to Premier League leaders Arsenal at Anfield on Saturday lunchtime in a game of vital importance to both sides.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed at his press conference earlier today that Daniel Agger, Mamadou Sakho, Jose Enrique and Glen Johnson all remain out through injury so he has very little options at the back.

Aly Cissokho and impressive youngster Jon Flanagan are expected to start in the full-back spots while former Gunner Kolo Toure will continue alongside Martin Skrtel and will look to bounce back from his disastrous mistake against West Brom last weekend.

Lucas Leiva is also injured and there have been rumours circulating that Rodgers may opt to bring Joe Allen in for Philippe Coutinho to give him more defensive shape in the middle of the park. However, we can see Coutinho keeping his place with Jordan Henderson continuing alongside Steven Gerrard in the center of midfield.

Daniel Sturridge has been deployed on the wing in recent weeks and it’s almost certain he’ll continue there this weekend with Raheem Sterling also supporting Luis Suarez in attack.

As for Arsenal they are likely to bring Kieran Gibbs back in at left-back with Nacho Monreal dropping back to the bench. Thomas Vermaelen is close to a comeback but Per Mertesacker will continue alongside Laurent Koscielny at the heart of defence.

Jack Wilshere is a slight doubt with an ankle injury and with so many big games coming up, we can see Arsene Wenger erring on the side of caution and keeping the midfielder among the substitutes this weekend.

This will mean Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will continue alongside Mikel Arteta in midfield with Aaron Ramsey still injured and Mathieu Flamini suspended. Tomas Rosicky could be brought in for his tireless work ethic with Lukas Podolski the most likely man to miss out, while Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil will support Olivier Giroud in attack.

Here are our predicted line-ups:

What do you you think of our teams? Who would you start? Share your thoughts below.