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LIVERPOOL FC :ARSENAL V LFC PREVIEW

Liverpool travel to the Emirates hoping to draw first blood ahead of what is a mammoth three match showdown in just six days against the Gunners.

/noticias.info/ It won't be the first time Rafael Benitez's men have faced Arsenal in back-to back matches either, having suffered both FA Cup and Carling Cup defeats within days of each other last season, and he will be hoping it is Liverpool's turn to take the spoils when they go head-to-head in the Champions League quarter-finals and the Premier League.

Tonight's match will mark only Liverpool's second visit to the Emirates following the 3-0 league defeat there in the last campaign and the Reds will need to avoid a similar experience this time out if we are to maintain our hopes of a sixth European crown.

Arsenal have already shown that they are capable of travelling to one of Europe's most imposing stadiums and winning after a disappointing first-leg result - just ask holders AC Milan.

But the Reds are just as impressive away from home in the Champions League having also won in the San Siro against Inter Milan, while last season saw us edge out Barcelona in the Nou Camp.

It is the type of form that has convinced Rafael Benitez that his side can overcome the Gunners and secure a first win away to Arsenal since 2000.

"When we play in Europe we have a lot of confidence and playing against Arsenal we beat them 4-1 at Anfield last season," said the Anfield boss.

"This season we drew 1-1 and we had big problems because Torres was injured.

"We played 45 minutes with him not fit, and after we had a problem with Alonso. I think we can beat them if we do our job and we work as hard as we were working before."

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is also confident ahead of the all-English affair and expects both sides to attack, refusing to accept there will be similarities between Liverpool's tight Champions League matches with Chelsea in recent years.

"Against us, Liverpool have always had good and pacy games," said Wenger.

"I can't speak about Liverpool versus Chelsea, but Arsenal versus Liverpool have always been good games. Maybe it'll change, we'll see, but I'm not convinced.

"I would say it will be a British-style Champions League game for one very good reason - it is a knockout. We are on the train and we want to stay on it but somebody has to go out.

"Liverpool will make it tight and play on the break more than in the Premier League so every goal is so vital. The concentration is a bit higher and the intensity is higher. So I expect it to be a bit different to the Premier League."

The home side will once again be without Bacary Sagna who damaged his ankle in the recent Premier League defeat to Chelsea while Tomas Rosicky, who has not featured since January, will also be absent with a knee problem.

As for Liverpool, Javier Mascherano is expected to return as his suspension following a red card against Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League, does not count in Europe.

Both sides won at the weekend and so confidence is bound to be high in the respective camps as they prepare for the first of three huge meetings. notas_de_prensa_archivo