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Match preview - Liverpool vs. Arsenal - Top four trap-door beckons for the loser
Thursday 10 December 2009
In what will be regarded as one of the most electrifying games of last season, Arsenal effectively ended Liverpool's title-chasing dream as Andrey Arshavin wrote himself into the record books with four shots and four goals for the visiting Londoners’ 4-4 draw at Anfield.
When Arsene Wenger locks horns with Rafael Benitez, the fixture will appear to have very little outcome on the destination of the Premier League trophy as through consistency, injuries and bad luck, the studious Frenchman and stubborn Spaniard have again fallen short. With Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester City all looking capable of gate-crashing what has been a predominantly private top four party, this fixture has taken on the similar significance of a relegation 'six pointer'. Neither side will be champions. Neither side will want to lose. And neither manager can afford to.
Liverpool - Without their talismans, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, Liverpool have lacked any real bite or quality going forward and will look to these two as match winners. Benitez, ever the cautionary, will be likely to field his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. Alberto Aquilani's long awaited first start in the midweek defeat to Fiorentina was littered with touches evident of his class, which could see him again alongside Javier Mascherano as one of two holding midfielders. Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun are the obvious wide choices with Gerrard playing off the fit-again Torres following his 25 minute substitute appearance on Wednesday evening. David Ngog, the No 9’s unconvincing deputy of the last five weeks will drop to the bench. At the back, goalkeeper Pepe Reina, Glen Johnnson and Jamie Carragher will also be restored to a defence likely to me completed by Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio.
25 Reina
2 Johnson - 23 Carragher - 37 Skrtel - 12 Aurelio
4 Aquilani - 20 Mascherano
18 Kuyt - 8 Gerrard - 15 Benayoun
9 Torres
Arsenal - Following his impressive showing in the win against Stoke last weekend and his four goal heroics of last season at Anfield, Arsene Wenger should continue to utilise Andriy Arshavin as his main attacker. Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela, having made 90-minute appearances in the midweek Champions League defeat at Olympiakos are options, although Arshavin may still get the nod. As Tomas Rosicky is again hampered by injury, the return from a one-match suspension of Alex Song will be welcomed in midfield, as will the recent performances of 18-year-old Welshman Aaron Ramsey, and the possible return of Abou Diaby to partner Cesc Fabregas and Denilson. Thomas Vermaelen, William Gallas, Bacary Sagna and Armand Traore are all likely to return as the back four, but doubts still remain over the fitness of the latter, who picked up a knock against Stoke last weekend. Manuel Almunia will resume his duties between the sticks.
1 Almunia
3 Sagna - 10 Gallas - 5 Vermaelen - 30 Traore
15 Denilson - 17 Song - 4 Fabregas
8 Nasri - 23 Arshavin - 14 Walcott
In a match that both sides need to win, Wenger - even without an out-and-out forward - will be the more confident of a result as Liverpool continue to struggle. An impressive outing by an unrecognisable starting XI in Greece, despite defeat, will have boosted morale around the Arsenal dressing room, and with key players rested, the Gunners look capable of adding to Liverpool's woes. Benitez, by his own admission, is fearful of a hangover form the midweek defeat to Fiorentina that saw Liverpool limp out of the Champions League and into the Europa League. The work-ethic of Mascherano and Kuyt will be crucial in keeping Arsenal's quick counter-attacking play to a minimum. The last two clashes at Anfield between these sides has produced 14 goals. With each side needing the full three points in bids to save their seasons, plenty more could well be on the cards.
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