FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS ahead of the Reds' huge clash against Arsenal

Liverpool travel to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon looking to extend their superb start to the season under Arne Slot, in the knowledge victory could take them seven points clear of Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta's side are coming off a bruising defeat in their last Premier League fixture and a narrow win in the Champions League in midweek. Both games were played without their talisman Bukayo Saka, who faces a race against time to be fit for the clash.

Last weekend's loss to Bournemouth also saw William Saliba, ever-present in the heart of the Gunners defence, shown a red card for an ill-advised challenge on Cherries striker Evanilson.

It all appears to be stacking up in the Merseysider's favour but Arteta will no doubt have a few tricks up his sleeve for the side who topped the league table coming into this weekend.

Ahead of the clash, LEWIS STEELE takes a look at the five burning questions to consider before the battle commences in north London.

DARWIN’S BELATED EVOLUTION

Darwin Nunez will start with Diogo Jota injured and the Uruguayan is finally beginning to evolve into an all-round centre forward. Belatedly, some might say, but Nunez put in two solid shifts against Chelsea and RB Leipzig in the last week.

Aside from his match-winning goal in Germany, though, Arne Slot praised his No 9 for his defensive contributions and unselfish hold-up play.

Eighteen months have passed since Jurgen Klopp said his ‘golden ticket’ to the XI would be improving his all-round game and it feels he is finally doing so.

INJURIES ARE NO EXCUSE, MIKEL ARTETA

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has spent the week muttering away about injuries and suspensions, with Riccardo Calafiori joining Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber as doubts for this clash – while captain Martin Odegaard and banned William Saliba will not feature.

But the best teams find a way to win even without their key men. Liverpool will also be without several big names for this trip, including Jota and also goalkeeper Alisson, while Trent Alexander-Arnold has been playing through pain.

With Calafiori and Timber up against it to be fit – though Arteta has a history for saying players are not fit then play them – the full back pairing for the Gunners will most probably be Thomas Partey and Jakub Kiwior, with Ben White likely to play in central defence.

It is a huge game, therefore, for Polish defender Kiwior – who has made just three substitute appearances in the league this season – up against Mohamed Salah. Liverpool will start one of Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo on the left, which will be equally as tricky.

HOW MUCH WILL LIVERPOOL MISS ALISSON?

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson is out until at least the November international break with a hamstring injury – which means it is another chance for Caoimhin Kelleher to prove his worth as a man ready to be a No 1 goalkeeper.

Kelleher played 26 games last season and this will be his fifth game under Slot already, not bad numbers for a No 2. He talks to Alisson for advice when needed, even when the Brazilian is injured, and believes he plays better when he has a run of games in the side.

Nottingham Forest tried hard to sign him in both January and the summer window just gone – but Liverpool have been vindicated by their decision to stand tall and keep him.

IS IT TOO EARLY TO SAY ‘MUST NOT LOSE’? NEVER.

Arsenal won this fixture 3-1 last season and a repeat of that would move them just a point behind Liverpool, the league leaders going into the weekend. A loss, mind, would leave them seven points adrift.

Early days so it would not be the end of the world but psychologically it could do a lot of damage if the Gunners were to be chasing already.

Liverpool failed to beat Arsenal or Manchester City last season – three wins and a loss – and that must change if they are to win the title this time.