Liverpool v Arsenal: Van Persie v Carragher, Gerrard v Diaby and Anfield’s key battles
The battle for fourth place will intensify on Saturday lunchtime as Liverpool and Arsenal kick off the Premier League weekend at Anfield. At the moment, the Gunners occupy that final Champions League spot, but there are sure to be plenty of twists and turns between now and the end of the season.
So who will come out on top on Merseyside? Can Liverpool use the confidence boost of last weekend’s Carling Cup win as a springboard to take them into Europe’s premier club competition? Or will Arsenal, on a high after last week’s north London derby thrashing of Spurs, continue in that same vein?
talkSPORT takes a look at where the game will be won and lost…
Pepe Reina v Wojciech Szcz?sny
Arsenal have had problems between the sticks ever since David Seaman retired. Several men have tried, and largely failed, in the quest to become the successor to the pony-tailed stopper, but it looks as though the Gunners may have finally found the man in the 21-year-old Pole. However, while he might be the Gunners’ best bet, he ain’t Reina. The Spaniard is rightly rated as one of the best in the Premier League, and he’s proved that time and time again. If called upon, expect him to do so again.
VERDICT: You can’t back against Reina’s greater experience and, frankly, ability.
Luis Suarez v Laurent Koscielny
Arsene Wenger has thrown one of his regular post-international strops, with Belgium the subject of his not inconsiderable ire this time after they insisted on playing Thomas Vermaelen for the full 90 minutes of their midweek friendly against Greece. The result? He returned to north London crocked and is a major doubt to be fit to play at Anfield. Merde! That will mean Koscielny taking the mantle as the team’s defensive lynchpin. He’s done OK this season, but mainly alongside Vermaelen. If he finds himself partnered with Sebastian Squillaci on Saturday, that is when the problems are likely to start. And Suarez is just the man to take advantage of those issues.
VERDICT: Suarez was not at his best at Wembley last weekend, but he will relish taking on that defensive pairing. Advantage Liverpool.
Steven Gerrard v Abou Diaby
Diaby has played just twice this season because of injury, and his return to fitness will come as a major boost to Arsenal’s hopes of holding off the challenge for fourth from Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle. Like Liverpool's skipper Steven Gerrard - who is an injury doubt - Diaby probably won't feature for the full 90 minutes, but the Gunners could call upon him to bolster the midfield at Anfield, particularly as he has twice scored against the Reds. As for Gerrard, you can be fairly sure that, after being overlooked for the England captaincy in midweek, he will have something of a point to prove. Admittedly Gerrard himself is an injury doubt, but he won’t want to miss this one and we wouldn’t risk one of our talkSPORT tenners on him not proving his fitness. And then on setting about proving Stuart Pearce wrong.
VERDICT: If selected, the returning Diaby is going to know he’s been in a hell of a battle in his first game back. Parity with Gerrard would be a result. Don’t bet on it.
Robin Van Persie v Jamie Carragher
Van Persie is another injury doubt for Arsenal, having limped away from Wembley in midweek with a groin strain following a 45-minute stint for Holland against England. Wenger seems pretty confident he’ll make it though, and the Dutchman will be desperate to continue his hot streak against the Reds. And he’ll be really keen given the prospect of lining up against Carragher, who looks likely to start in place of the crocked Daniel Agger. The Liverpool stalwart has been one of the Premier League’s best defenders for the past decade, but those days are now behind him. And directly opposing the country’s hottest striker is unlikely to be high on the list of things he’d most like to be doing on a Saturday lunchtime.
VERDICT: Sorry Liverpool fans, this one is a no contest.
Liverpool fans, Arsenal fans... what are you expecting at Anfield this weekend? Leave us your comments below...