Liverpool turn their attention to the FA Cup - yet they meet a Premier League title rival in Arsenal.
The Reds make the trip to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (16.30 GMT) and could hardly have been handed a much more difficult third-round tie. Jurgen Klopp's side stretched their lead to three points at the summit of the Premier League following a 4-2 victory over Newcastle United.
But with just less than half a season remaining, the Liverpool manager is hardly getting carried away. He knows that the race for the silverware will be highly competitive. Arsenal are one of the teams challenging to become champions, although successive losses against West Ham and Fulham has left them five points adrift of the Reds.
An intriguing contest in north London is in the offing. The two sides met just two weeks ago at Anfield, with a high-octane showdown ending 1-1. Now Liverpool and Arsenal will lock horns in the FA Cup, with one of the favourites to win the competition set to bow out. Ahead of the encounter, here's an early look at the team news.
1. Arsenal vs Liverpool team news. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal vs Liverpool team news. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
2. Jurrien Timber - out
The summer signing from Ajax suffered a serious knee injury on his Premier League debut in August and has been sidelined since.
3. Fabio Vieira - out
A groin injury has meant the midfielder has been absent since November.
4. Thomas Partey - out
The midfielder was back in Arsenal training but Arteta admitted earlier this week that Partey has had a setback.