Arsenal vs Liverpool: Preview, Team News, Prediction & Lineups | January 8, 2026

This highly anticipated clash sees table-topping Arsenal host defending champions Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, January 8, with kick-off at 8:00 PM GMT (1:30 AM IST on January 9).

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On Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 8:00 PM GMT, table-topping Arsenal host defending champions Liverpool in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium.

The match kicks off at 8:00 PM GMT on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

In the UK

The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with coverage available on Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event channels. Kick-off is at 7:00 PM GMT.

In the US

The game will be shown live on NBCSN; streaming primarily on Peacock (select games may also air on USA Network depending on final scheduling).

Kick-off times for US viewers: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT (8:00 PM GMT).

This highly anticipated clash sees table-topping Arsenal host defending champions Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, January 8, with kick-off at 8:00 PM GMT. It's a midweek fixture rescheduled due to the congested schedule, broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.

In-depth match preview with latest team news, injuries, predicted lineups, head-to-head stats, key players to watch, and score prediction for this crucial title-race clash.

Match Details:

NAME: Arsenal vs Liverpool
DATE: Thursday, Jan 8, 2026
TIME: 8:00 PM GMT (United Kingdom) | 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT (United States) | 1:30 AM IST (January 9, India) | 9:00 PM WAT (Nigeria) | 11:00 PM EAT (Kenya) | 10:00 PM SAST (South Africa)
VENUE: Emirates Stadium

When is Arsenal vs Liverpool?

Arsenal vs Liverpool is scheduled for an 8:00 PM UK kick-off on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

How to watch?

Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League with streaming via Sky Go or NOW in the UK, on Star Sports network with streaming on JioHotstar in India, on USA Network with streaming on Peacock and NBC.com in the United States and Streaming on Fubo in Canada will all be airing live coverage of the event.

Live Match

Arsenal vs Liverpool Team News

As league leaders Arsenal host defending champions Liverpool at Emirates Stadium, both sides are dealing with injury concerns heading into this Premier League clash.

Arsenal Team News

Mikel Arteta has a relatively healthy squad, with injuries largely clearing up ahead of this blockbuster fixture. The Gunners boast an unbeaten home record this season and have selection headaches in the best possible way.

Out:

Riccardo Calafiori (muscular injury) — Sustained an "awkward" issue during the warm-up against Brighton in December. Remains sidelined and not expected back until mid-January.
Cristhian Mosquera (ankle injury) — Complicated recovery ongoing; ruled out, with a potential return targeted for around January 17.
Max Dowman (ankle ligament damage) — Youngster recovering from an injury in a U21 friendly; absent for several weeks, likely back in early February.

Doubts/Fitness Management:

Kai Havertz — Recently recovered from a knee issue but was rested entirely for the recent win at Bournemouth as a precaution. Arteta is managing his minutes carefully; he could feature but may start on the bench to avoid overload.

Positive Notes:

Bukayo Saka is fully fresh and expected to start after being managed in recent games.
Leandro Trossard is also primed to return to the lineup.
Piero Hincapié continues to deputise effectively at left-back in Calafiori's absence.

No suspensions reported.

Liverpool Team News

Arne Slot faces a major crisis in the forward line, with multiple key attackers unavailable. This has severely blunted their attack as they struggle to defend their title.

Out:

Mohamed Salah (international duty) — Away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025 in Morocco). Egypt have advanced to the quarter-finals, so Salah will miss this game and potentially more.
Alexander Isak (broken leg/fibula fracture) — Long-term absentee after an injury against Tottenham in late December; expected out until late March or April 2026.
Wataru Endo (ankle injury) — Yet to return to full training; mid-January return anticipated.
Giovanni Leoni (ACL) — Long-term injury, no imminent return.

Major Doubt:

Hugo Ekitiké (hamstring/muscle soreness) — Missed the recent draw at Fulham due to overload. As of Wednesday, he had not trained with the team, making him a significant doubt—likely to miss out or at best be on the bench.

Positive Notes:

Cody Gakpo is fit and likely to lead the line, with support from players like Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Jeremie Frimpong.
Options like Andy Robertson or Conor Bradley could return or rotate in defense.

No suspensions.

Liverpool's depleted attack will rely heavily on transitions and creativity from midfield, while Arsenal's depth gives Arteta flexibility to rotate and maintain intensity. This contrast in squad availability could be a defining factor tonight.

Arsenal vs Liverpool Match Summary

Highlights - Arsenal vs Liverpool

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Arsenal vs Liverpool Gallery

January 8, 2026 • Emirates Stadium • Title Race Clash

Emirates Stadium

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Arsenal squad building up for Bournemouth trip

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Match Preview

INSIDE TRAINING

Press Conference

Predicted starting lineup

Arsenal possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Ødegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyökerés, Trossard.

Liverpool possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Frimpong, Gakpo, Wirtz.

Arsenal vs Liverpool

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