The following article refers to an older game – for the upcoming Arsenal-Liverpool game, click here.
Game of the weekend obviously has to be down at Anfield, where a buoyant Arsenal visit Liverpool. As a Liverpool fan this article is going to leave a bitter taste in the mouth, but here goes.
Liverpool
Against Besiktas, the performance for Liverpool wasn’t really good enough. Although we are creating chances, we are not putting them away, more or less the same story with the Everton game last week. The main culprit is Andrei Voronin. He missed countless chances at Goddison last week and in Istanbul he missed one glorious chance in the first half.
Now Benitez has spent big this summer, especially in the scoring department. Fernando Torres is injured, so he’s dodged the bullet for now at least. The other main threat who he invested in was Ryan Babel, who has been extremely disappointing thus far. He had a good game up north against Sunderland, and since then whenever he has played he hasn’t 
looked £12m at all.
I think the main problem is that Rafa is looking to convert him-unsuccessfully-to a left winger. He’s more of a Luis Garcia really, he likes running around in the gap between defence and attack and creating and taking chances when the occasion takes him. I would think that Yossi Benayoun will take his place on the left of midfield.
One plus for Liverpool is the probability that Fernando Torres will be fit. I would expect him to play up front on Sunday with Dirk Kuyt. Another ‘plus’ is the return of Xabi Alonso, who could return to the side after injury. His form hasn’t been good at all this season, and hopefully the lay-off has done him so good. I would expect him to bench-warm on Sunday though and I would imagine Javier Mascherano will continue to deputise.
Key Player: I’m going to go with Javier Mascherano, purely because of the man who will be playing against him, Cesc Fabregas. Mascherano needs to keep Cesc quiet, end of. If he fails, then Liverpool will have their work cut out. If he succeeds, we will then be able to push on and we will then be looking for another top drawer performance from Steven Gerrard, who was different class in Istanbul last Wednesday and didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
Probable Team: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Benayoun, Torres, Kuyt
Arsenal
In contrast, Arsenal are playing top quality football. What else do we expect? They have always played the best football in the EPL and they are continuing to do so. The 7-0 drubbing of Slavia midweek must have given Benitez food for thought, even if the standard of opposition was poor. If not then the form of Cesc Fabregas in midfield all season must be playing on Benitez’s mind.
Fabregas has been back with a bang this season, no doubt about it. He’s scoring goals, he’s passing the pall brilliantly, he’s got skill, and he seems the complete package. As a playmaker this season there has been none better, and I think comparisons to Riccy Kaka are justified on his performances thus far. If he’s on form on Sunday, that means that Javier Mascherano will have to produce an epic game to keep him quiet.
Equally impressive has been the form of Emmanuel Adebayor. I’ve always likened him to Drogba for his build, but now I can liken them for ability and style. Both rangy, both quick, both strong, both can head, both can finish, both have got skill.
The interesting thing would be if Theo Walcott partners him once again at Anfield. On the basis of Wednesday, I would back him to retain his place. This would probably complete an unchanged line-up from Wednesday.
Key Player: Francesc Fabregas. If he continues his form, then the temperamental goalkeeping of Pepe Reina will be tested, the command of Hyypia in the box will be tested, the anticipation of Carragher will be tested. In short, it could be a long afternoon if you’re going to be stood in the Kop.
Probable Team: Almunia, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Eboue, Fabregas, Flamini, Hleb, Walcott, Adebayor
To Sum Up…
I think that this is going to be quite an open game to be honest. Liverpool will go hunting for the early kill, as they usually do at home. Arsenal will invite the pressure and welcome it. I think that their form is far superior to Liverpool’s at the moment though, and their players are playing the better football. So I would give this one to Arsenal…but only just.
Prediction: Liverpool 1 — 2 Arsenal
In contrast, Arsenal are playing top quality football. What else do we expect? They have always played the best football in the EPL and they are continuing to do so.
That Arsenal have always played the ‘best’ football in the EPL is a myth, somewhat like that myth about Tottenham being good enough for the Champions League, or Liverpool winning the Premier League, or Chelsea being a title-winning team without Mourinho…
the best football is the one that wins the most games, i think a liverpool could edge this, 1 – 0, i think it will be a good game but i don’t think it will be open, liverpool dont want to open themselves up to aresnal on the counter and arsenal will be happy to play on the counter if you get me?
I have to agree to the ‘Myth Theory’. ‘Always played the best football in the EPL’ … hm, would be a nice thing to have but isn’t.
On the missed chances you guys had in Istanbul: There’s an Abebanin or Voroyor in every team, innit?
Anyway, can’t hardly wait for this one. If there was time travel I’d get me a ticket … sigh
Man city are nicest to watch. then blackburn. then arsenal
Agree about Fabregas, disagree about Adebayor.
I think the goals will come from the midfield for Arsenal. Adebayor’s been great, no doubt about it. But can he turn the tide of a game when his team’s in a slump? So far i’d only rate his performance against Spurs as truly world class & indicative of what he can really do when the planets align for him. So where’s the consistency? If he does well against Liverpool on Sunday i’ll gladly retract this statement – He may have the build, style & ability of Drogba, but he’s still not Drogba (if you get what i mean).
As for Walcott partnering with Adebayor, i just don’t know. I do know that if Walcott does well up front, then it could be a career defining match for him. Maybe come on as a substitute instead?
Also, you should have mentioned Hleb & Rosicky. Both have shown good form recently & i’m sure Rocisky is itching for a repeat of the Cup matches drubbing he handed out to the Scousers earlier this year.
Defensively, Liverpool are awesome (i rate Reina as the best in the League) so this will be a true test of Arsenal’s attacking prowess. There’s an old saying about how the best warhead will always beat the best armour. We’ll see which is which come Sunday.
In the end this is going to be all about tactics. Manager vs Manager.
P.S. for all the hype this game is getting, next week is going to be even more intense!!! 8o|
i agree with Liverpool_Fan when he/she say that man city are great to watch but blackburn being better to watch the arsenal? im not so sure bout them they play really physical, negative football
I’m sorry Ahmed I have to disagree. You look at the one-touch play and the quality of the moves they put together, and no-one can match them in my opinion.
fuck up shaun, you’ve played medicore teams and are top by 2 points with man utd breathing down your neck who have played medicore and higher level teams, and belive it or not you beating liverpool aint shit,west ham on a good day would destroy liverpool in their form, i say, wait till the 3rd, if you beat us then ill say you deserve to be where you are, you loose, and ill say you’ll finish 2nd, rest assure, you WILL beat scouserville but only because their in poor form.
I feel there are two main plus’s for Arsenal, one is that Liverpool will not be afraid to attack in which case that will be ‘tailor made’ for our counter attacking style. Secondly if Theo and Addie both play in tandem up front their back four who do seem to lack pace could come under pressure.
However if Crouch plays and I hope he doesn’t because I feel that Arsenals biggest weakness is dealing with set pieces and high crosses from the wing and Gallas’s strong point is certainly not his heading ability.
I also hope Gilberto plays as I feel that we might need his experience if the muck starts hitting the fan.
Liverpool 1 Arsenal 2
I’m just scared that Man U might lose to Arsenal
This should be a good game but I think Arsenal has shown the quality to get the win. Arsenal has won in many different types of games this year, physical, open and even games where they have played poorly.
Liverpool on the other hand has squeaked out questionable ties versus average opponents and lost to inferior opponents. Yes they have quality at many positions on the field but they haven’t put it all together.
Arsenal despite the hype they have been receiving still have a chip on their shoulder for being young and not having won against a “quality” side yet.
I see them winning this and then maybe dropping the home game to ManU who have finally found their form.
The game’s at Anfield. That sign at the entrance which says “This is Anfield” is put there for a reason. Its going to be a tough match. Its been close to three years since we beat Liverpool at Anfield in the league(remember Pires’ sensational long strike?). And for those who think Man u are ‘breathing down on our necks’!, remember we still have a game in hand. Normally I go for an Arsenal win every week but since this is at Anfield, I’m not predicting anything. Recent form counts for bollocks at these big matches. Period………
i am totally agreeing with spiral guy. this is manager against manager. and pennant is not playing, hes out 4 10 weeks..keep tht in mind, benayouns playing right and hes gonna give assenal a run for their money.but hey if liverpool FANS start thinking theyre gonna lose, liverpol has lost its greatest strentgh. i sincerely believe we can kick major gunne butt on sunday. CMON PPL….
YNWA!!!!
lenny i mean i like to watch blackburn i really admire pederson and santa cruz
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ARSENAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great match to watch & i’m happy with the draw. 😀
Excellent match, we should have knicked it but quite content with a draw at Anfield 😀
Can i also just say that Almunia has my vote of confidence for the rest of the season? He put in a great performance today.
The only other guy i can think of that did really well was Hleb. The man is on top form!
Fabregas had a bad game today & only made up for everything with that run in for the goal.
Can’t think of much else to say about our side. Waiting for the Liverpool supporters to give their 2 cents worth on how they think their side did.
Tough game, happy with the draw, but we could have won it. Anyway after losing at Anfield for the last three years, this was definitely an improvement…………….
Dan un-official liaison…I’m a Liverpool fan you fucking idiot. Read the article again and then tell me who I support, bloody tool.
And by the way, if you saw the match today, now tell me Arsenal don’t play the best football. Passing, sublime. Goal, sublime, a performance which just oozed finesse, however those two misses were unforgiveable.
I agree that Arsenal played better football overall, and it was just plain nicer football watch when they had possession- yes, the misses were upsetting, but Arsenal scored their goal without having to resort to a set piece which I think gives them a little bit more of an edge in terms of which team was the stronger one, at least in this match.
shud have finished them but coming off a bad result im proud of my boys today 🙂 still 6 points off the leaders!!! we remain that way but could have been closer
Both teams are out of track but Liverpool had a wonderful record to defeat Manchester United at Anfield Stadium in October. So, I will pick Liverpool base on the fact above.