Liverpool vs Arsenal: Joel Campbell warns Anfield injury crisis will mean nothing for Gunners

Joel Campbell has warned Arsenal that the Liverpool injury crisis will count for nothing when they travel to Anfield on Wednesday night (13 January), as the Merseysiders have the potential to turn their situation around at any time. The Costa Rica international added that although Jurgen Klopp will miss key players like Philip Coutinho, the Gunners will also be without Alexis Sanchez.

Liverpool host Arsenal following a disappointing 2-2 draw in the FA Cup third round against Exeter City, with Klopp forced to deploy an unexperienced line-up due to the number of injuries in his squad. The German manager will have Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho back for the Premier League game but will still be without Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge, Martin Skrtel, Divock Origi, Jordan Rossiter and long-term absentees Danny Ings and Joe Gomez.

Asked by IBTimes UK whether the Liverpool situation gives the Gunners an advantage in the game, Campbell warned: "With a team like Liverpool those things don't count."

"They are Liverpool and they are a big team, at any point they can react and we just hope it will not be against us."

"Coutinho will not play but we also have some players who will not play. [Liverpool and Arsenal] are great teams with many players available to cope with [injuries]. Let's see how the game goes."

The Gunners have dealt with an injury crisis of their own in recent months, with Campbell himself being employed to cover the absences of players like Sanchez. Over the weekend they secured a comfortable FA Cup win over Sunderland, despite Mesut Ozil being rested.

Campbell added: "Alexis is a great player, he is very important, but if he is missing the rest of the team have to step up and give their best. But I hope he returns soon as he is a very important player for the team.

"This is Arsenal. We are a big team where there are many great players. Whoever enters into the line-up tries to seize the opportunities and give their best."

With Ozil expected to return at Anfield, Campbell is confident Arsenal will get the three points needed to remain on the top of the Premier League table.

"To be the champion [of the Premier League] you have to overcome all these tests. We will go to Anfield with all the enthusiasm in the world to try to get a victory," he said. "The best thing about Arsenal is that we are only looking at the next game. We treat every game with great responsibility and eagerness. We do not believe we are better or worse than any rivals. We try to win every game and go step by step."