Liverpool topped the Premier League’s winter break with a 4-2 victory over Newcastle.

The Reds return to league action on 21 January with a trip to Bournemouth, but there is cup activity to look forward to in the meantime.

Liverpool face Arsenal this weekend in one of the toughest FA Cup third round matches before the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Fulham.

The draw for club football’s oldest domestic cup competition proved unkind to Jurgen Klopp’s side, with the Reds set to travel to Arsenal for a rematch of a match played just a few weeks ago on December 23.

That game, of course, ended 1-1 thanks to a moment of brilliance from Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian, however, will not be available for Sunday’s match in London, instead traveling to the Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Klopp’s main concern will be figuring out how to compensate for the loss of their most crucial attacker in the coming weeks.

Here’s how he might line up against Arsenal.

GOALKEEPER & DEFENCE

Caoimhin Kelleher has been the Reds’ regular cup keeper in recent seasons, making 223/24 appearances in five Europa League and three League Cup games. In normal circumstances, he’d be a lock for a start in the FA Cup’s third round. However, given Liverpool’s difficult draw, the league break, and the likelihood that Kelleher will most likely play against Fulham three days later, Alisson might possibly start this one.

Expect a relatively solid backline in front of him.

Trent Alexander-Arnold might keep his spot at right back, with Ibrahim Konate partnering Virgil van Dijk in the center.

With Joe Gomez the sole senior option at left back, 19-year-old Luke Chambers might be handed a chance here, with the more experienced option saved for the midweek semi-final.

Owen Beck, who was just recalled from Dundee, is another option. However, pitting either youngster against Bukayo Saka is a dangerous proposition.

MIDFIELD

Salah’s absence is not the only one caused by an international tournament this month. Wataru Endo, Japan’s captain, will be missed in the basis of the midfield, when he heads to Qatar for the Asian Cup.

Alexis MacAllister, who returned from injury in the win over Newcastle, should resume his role as Klopp’s deepest lying midfielder.

There are few guarantees in Liverpool’s midfield, but Dominik Szoboszlai, along with Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic, is definitely out after sustaining a hamstring injury on New Year’s Day.

Curtis Jones, who has impressed in recent appearances, might continue on the left side of the three. Harvey Elliott could be the other person in the engine room.

ATTACK

Darwin Nuez has a goal and an assist in his previous two games, but worries about his finishing remain after he piled up an xG of 1.61 in the Reds’ win over Newcastle, the highest in a game without scoring.

The FA Cup might be a perfect chance to experiment, with Cody Gakpo starting through the middle.

With prospective replacements Szoboszlai and Ben Doak both injured, compensating for Salah’s absence becomes more difficult. It’s difficult to foresee Klopp’s reaction, as the manager recently stated that he would respond based on players’ availability game by game, rather than devising a master plan for the Egyptian’s absence.

Luis Diaz, who impressed against Newcastle, could be moved to the right flank for Sunday, with Diogo Jota starting on the left.

Kaide Gordon, 19, might make the bench nearly precisely two years after scoring his only senior Reds goal in the FA Cup third round triumph over Shrewsbury.

PREDICTED STARTING XI TO FACE ARSENAL:

(4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Chambers; Elliott, Mac Allister, Jones; Diaz, Gakpo, Jota