Liverpool v Arsenal Premier League preview

Liverpool had the weekend off with the other teams in the top 4 having FA Cup duty, which has given them a few days extra rest over Arsenal before this meeting on Tuesday night.

Liverpool

Having been knocked out of the Champions League to Chelsea last week, and already out of the FA Cup, have just the Premier League to focus on the rest of the season. They face an Arsenal side who would have lost a lot of confidence after their late defeat to Chelsea in the FA Cup on Saturday, also playing with a patched up defence. Liverpool have won their last 5 in the league, breezing wins in 4 of them; 2-0 (Sunderland), 4-1 (Manchester United), 5-0 (Aston Villa) and 4-0 (Blackburn Rovers). They’re perfectly capable of making it 6 wins a row after this, despite Arsenal’s good run of form in the league. Fernando Torres looks to be hitting form at the right time, but the loss of Steven Gerrard for this one with a muscle strain is a massive loss for them. Xabi Alonso is playing well in the middle of the park and is perfectly capable of tearing this Arsenal defence apart. Liverpool took a point away from the Emirates earlier in the season when Robbie Keane levelled after Robin van Persie’s opener. Liverpool failed to take advantage of an extra man in the last half hour when Emanuel Adebayor was sent off. Arsenal looked the more-likely winners after that however. Liverpool are playing better now than they were then.

Form (last 5 games)
WWWWW

Injuries/Suspensions
Steven Gerrard
Philipp Degen

Arsenal

Arsenal were outplayed by Chelsea in their FA Cup semi final on Saturday and went down to a late winner from Didier Drogba which would have hurt their morale. They have been playing well of late, with 5 straight wins in the league (after 5 straight draws) and a convincing 3-0 victory over Villarreal in the Champions League last week that has booked their semi final match with Manchester United. Theo Walcott has scored in each of his last 3 games in all competitions, including the equaliser on the hour at Wigan in the Premier League last week that lead to Arsenal’s convincing 4-1 victory after a poor first half. Arsenal don’t want to make a slow start to this one, because Liverpool have scored early in a few games recently. Fernando Torres is their biggest threat, but they shouldn’t take their eyes off the likes of Xabi Alonso and Yossi Benayoun who have been playing well of late.

Form (last 5 games)
WWWWW

Injuries/Suspensions
Johann Djourou
William Gallas
Manuel Almunia
Gael Clichy

Arsenal are often up for the big games which gives them a chance in this game. But injuries at the back, perhaps some fatigue and the form Liverpool are in makes the home side the rightful favourites.

Liverpool to win 1/1

Draw 12/5

Arsenal to win 7/2