24 December 2023 , 05:00
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Liverpool will not head into Christmas top of the table - but Jurgen Klopp will no doubt be enthused by what he saw at Anfield on Saturday night.
Only the crossbar denied the Reds a statement victory over Arsenal as the spoils were shared after a barnstorming clash between the two title contenders. Mohamed Salah's equaliser was enough to cancel out Gabriel's opener, but Liverpool will feel aggrieved not to have taken more from the game after penalty appeals were turned down despite Martin Odegaard's handball.
Trent Alexander-Arnold then struck a glorious chance off the woodwork which could have earned the hosts a crucial win, while Liverpool's evening was marred by injury to Kostas Tsimikas which could forced Klopp's hand in January.
Here are the latest updates and transfer gossip from the red half of Merseyside...
Tsimikas suffers injury blow
Klopp is facing problems at full-back after Tsimikas broke his collarbone in a clash which sent the Liverpool boss flying.
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
Arsenal's Bukayo Saka sent the Liverpool star sprawling to the turf and into his manager, with Tsimikas immediately substituted and taken to hospital, where his bad news was confirmed.
Jurgen Klopp was sent flying in the collision with Kostas Tsimikas which injured the defender (Getty Images)Saka has since issued an apology for his part in the accident, while Klopp is left ruing his luck as Tsimikas joins regular left-back Andy Robertson on the sidelines.
Joe Gomez was brought on to replace Tsimikas and is the obvious deputy for the clash with Burnley on Boxing Day, while Roberton is expected to return in the New Year - but will Klopp be tempted to add extra cover when the transfer window opens next month?
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Firmino could seal reunion
(Getty Images)Roberto Firmino could already be moving on just six months into his time at Al-Ahli - and he may even complete a reunion with some of his former Liverpool team-mates.
The Brazilian forward has struggled since hitting a hat-trick in his first game for the Saudi club - failing to find the net in 16 appearances since. Firmino has now lost his position in the Al-Ahli side and has not started a game since October.
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is now hopeful of signing Firmino for Al-Ettifaq, where he would join up with ex-Reds duo Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum, though they face competition for his signature.
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Bowen buyout clause questioned
West Ham chief Mark Noble remained tight-lipped over Jarrod Bowen's contract after Paul Scholes put him on the spot amid continued speculation with Liverpool.
Klopp once again got tongues wagging with his praise of the Hammers star, who scored in their 5-1 defeat at Anfield in midweek and again in their 2-0 win over Manchester United on Saturday.
Liverpool transfer window winners & losers as £37m spent on Klopp's "great day"
Klopp previously outlined his admiration for former Hull star Bowen, but he only signed a long-term contract with West Ham in the summer - and it appears Noble is not prepared to let his star man go, nor be drawn on any potential buyout clause in his deal.
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