Liverpool and Arsenal could be without 12 players as Arne Slot awaits injury news

Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta have plenty to ponder ahead of with both sides having a host of absentees.

William Saliba will definitely miss out through suspension, , who's been out with an ankle injury, as well as Bukayo Saka because of his hamstring troubles.

Regarding Odegaard's chances of playing against Liverpool, Arteta was rather doubtful, saying, "I don't think so. Martin is frustrated and desperate to return. But hopefully this period will teach him some things that are important in life."

The situation worsened for when Riccardo Calafiori had to leave the pitch during the Shakhtar Donetsk clash due to a knee issue.

Arteta's update didn’t sound optimistic: "With Riccy he had to come off because he felt something," he remarked. "I don't know the extent of it but it's not good news."

Arsenal's backline has several issues with Jurrien Timber having been sidelined since the match against PSG in the Champions League. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are also expected to sit out against Liverpool, where boss Slot is wrestling with his own set of dilemmas.

The Reds have definitely ruled out Alisson Becker with a hamstring setback he encountered this month, while Diogo Jota faces a race against time to be fit. The forward had to leave the pitch just 30 minutes into their weekend triumph over Chelsea after taking a hit to the midriff.

Slot updated everyone on Jota's predicament during Tuesday's press conference, stating, "Conor Bradley, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa didn't make the trip [to Germany], so we have a few issues.

"Diogo got a knock, brought down but the other player fell on to him, he couldn't carry on and it is difficult to judge at this moment. We'll have to see how long it is going to take."

Despite missing some key players against RB Leipzig, Liverpool celebrated a win and managed not to rack up any fresh injuries. Even with Mohamed Salah being pulled off earlier than usual in the game, Slot suggested that it was a precautionary measure considering the high-stakes match this weekend.

With important games on their horizon, both Liverpool and Arsenal are bracing for the possibility of facing off with as many as 12 players sidelined. This added twist of fate only cranks up the competitive edge as Slot and Arteta hone their tactics to emerge victorious in this critical face-off.