Liverpool transfer news: Fluminense has reportedly agreed a deal for André Trindade, while the Reds are said to be pressing for a big-money move in midfield.

All eyes will be on Anfield this evening as Liverpool looks to move back to the top of the Premier League against Arsenal.

The Reds know that a win over the Gunners will take them back to the summit, having relinquished their lead last weekend against Manchester United. Mikel Arteta’s side though looks certain to be Liverpool’s toughest opposition at Anfield so far this season, and could open up a three-point gap at the top of the table themselves.

For Jürgen Klopp’s side, it is the ideal opportunity to make a huge statement in this season’s title race, especially with Manchester City not back in action until after Christmas. If Liverpool can record a victory later today, it could be set up to strengthen further in the January transfer window.

READ MORE: Liverpool team vs Arsenal predicted as Curtis Jones and Wataru Endō in and Luis Díaz out

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The Reds may well need further additions to sustain a title challenge, although the latest reports suggest they could be about to miss out on one potential target, while another could be back on the table. Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.

André Trindade (Fluminense)

André Trindade looks to be closing in on a move to Fulham, with any possibility of a Liverpool transfer seemingly over. According to Football Insider, the Reds’ Premier League rivals have now stolen a march and are now the firm favorites to sign the Brazilian midfielder when the January transfer window opens.

The report claims Fulham has reached an agreement in principle with Fluminense, and it is now up to André to give the green light for a move.

Liverpool.com says: It was always unlikely that Liverpool would make a move for a midfielder next month. Still, it would have been interesting to see how André would have adapted to life at Anfield. If the move to Fulham happens, he will certainly be a play to keep an eye on in the future.

Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan)

Liverpool is said to be one of the clubs pressing to sign Nicolò Barella. According to Calciomercato, Inter Milan is looking to extend the 26-year-old’s contract at the San Siro, but faces a threat from the Reds, Newcastle and Chelsea.

Liverpool was linked with Barella during the summer as part of Jürgen Klopp’s midfield rebuild. The Italian won’t come cheaply if Klopp rekindles any interest, having been rated at around $102m (£80m/€92m).

Liverpool.com says: As previously mentioned, it’s difficult to see Liverpool making moves for any midfielder anytime soon, and especially not for any as expensive as Barella. That might play into the hands of Newcastle or Chelsea, which would be a blow, but we just can’t see this one going through now.

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Jürgen Klopp has confirmed his team as Liverpool takes on Arsenal in a huge clash at the top of the Premier League, with five changes made from the win over West Ham.

Jürgen Klopp’s team has been confirmed as Liverpool hosts Arsenal in a huge clash at the top of the Premier League at Anfield.

Liverpool will not struggle for motivation as it takes on Arsenal this evening. There’s a place at the top of the Premier League table up for grabs, along with the coveted status of being top at Christmas.

Having bounced back from last weekend’s disappointing draw with Manchester United with a comprehensive win in the Carabao Cup over West Ham, Klopp had been given plenty of food for thought ahead of today’s game. As it is, the Liverpool boss has made five changes to his midweek side.

READ MORE: Five players could decide Liverpool title challenge as Dominik Szoboszlai solution just emerged

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news as André move ‘agreed’ and Jürgen Klopp ‘pressing’ for $102m star

Curtis Jones retains his spot in the starting line-up after impressing against the Hammers. He’s joined by the returning Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté and Mohamed Salah.

Meanwhile, Luis Díaz is back in front three as he replaces Darwin Núñez, with Cody Gakpo preferred in the center. Alisson Becker takes his usual spot back in goal.

Confirmed Liverpool team vs Arsenal: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endō, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Díaz.

Neither Klopp nor Mikel Arteta will need reminding that a victory this evening is not a guarantee of success come the end of the season, with both having become part of an unwelcome statistic in the recent past. But with Manchester City already mathematically unable to match its best campaign of the past, both Liverpool and Arsenal will sense a real chance to seize pole position as the halfway mark looms large.

Ahead of today’s game, three of our Liverpool.com writers had their say on who they would select. Take a look at their teams below and see how they stack up against Klopp’s.

Matt Addison – Cody Gakpo stays down the middle

As I wrote yesterday, I’d like to see Liverpool stick with Cody Gakpo centrally and leave Darwin Núñez on the left. Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alisson Becker will all come back into the team.

As good as Jarell Quansah has been, Ibrahima Konaté is an obvious pick to play alongside Virgil van Dijk and Curtis Jones is a must. I’m going with Wataru Endō as the number six with Alexis Mac Allister absent.

My starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Szoboszlai, Endō, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Núñez

Predicted scoreline: 2-2 draw.

One thing to watch:Where does Trent Alexander-Arnold play and can Arsenal stop him?

James Martin – Darwin Núñez drops out

There’s no real dilemmas for Klopp in defense, where Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk and Tsimikas are all near-automatic picks at the moment. To be fair to Quansah, he has put some pressure on Konaté, but the Frenchman would be heavily fancied to start.

A few weeks ago, most wouldn’t have wanted Endō near a fixture like this. But he’s bedding in really nicely now, acclimatizing to the speed of the league. He’s still frustrating in certain moments, but his combative presence would be welcome here in the absence of Mac Allister.

Ahead of him, Curtis Jones has played his way in, despite Ryan Gravenberch being cleared to feature. Harvey Elliott has almost done the same, but Szoboszlai gets the nod, having got back among the goals against West Ham.

I’ve said before that all other things being equal, I’d always favor Núñez for the front line, with the club having made such a big investment in his very obvious potential. But at the moment, all is not equal, with the other fit forwards having done more to earn a place.

It’s marginal with Luis Díaz, who has not set the world alight recently either, but he is more of a natural on the wing. With Gakpo earning the central berth for this huge clash, that leaves Núñez to make an impact off the bench — and I back him to do it.

My starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endō, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Díaz

Predicted scoreline: 3-2 to Liverpool.

One thing to watch: Will Darwin Núñez make a telling difference, either from the start or the bench?

James Findlater – Stick to the West Ham plan

The team largely picks itself for me this week. There were certainly no issues with Liverpool’s defense against Manchester United, so that stays the same for me, with Alisson Becker returning in goal from midweek while Ibrahima Konaté partners Virgil van Dijk in the center.

Curtis Jones has surely made up Jürgen Klopp’s mind after his performance against West Ham. Even if Ryan Gravenberch is fit to start, the academy graduate should get the nod alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endō.

The front three is where things get a bit tricky. Obviously Mohamed Salah starts on the right, but picking the other two alongside him is difficult at the moment.

Given the way things went in midweek, I’d stick with the same plan of Darwin Núñez on the left and Cody Gakpo through the center. Arsenal won’t give up as much space as West Ham did, so Gakpo’s nous in the middle might well be needed.

My starting XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endō,Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Gakpo, Núñez

Predicted scoreline: 1-1 draw.

One thing to watch: Darwin Núñez to finally get himself back on the scoresheet.