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ARSENAL V LIVERPOOL: MATCH PREVIEW

Liverpool travel to North London this afternoon for what is only our second ever league visit to the Emirates Stadium.

/noticias.info/ Rafa and co have had mixed fortunes against the Gunners in recent years and our first visit to their new ground ended in disappointment, as the hosts ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.

There have also been some disappointments at home in the knockout competitions as a 3-1 reversal in the FA Cup was followed by an embarrassing 6-3 thrashing in the Carling Cup days later.

However, a 4-1 win at Anfield last season and a solid performance in a 1-1 draw earlier in the this campaign prove that we are more than capable of giving the Gunners a match.

And there was further evidence of this in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first-leg draw that saw Dirk Kuyt plunder an invaluable away goal.

With the second-leg following hot on the heels of this fixture, many observers feel both sides will rest their star names for the second part of the trilogy of games - and yet neither can afford to falter in the Premier League.

A defeat for Arsenal would all-but end their slim hopes of winning the title, while three points would also go some way to ensuring Champions League football will be played in the red half of Merseyside again next season.

With Everton not playing until Sunday the Reds could extend their five point lead over their Merseyside neighbours.

As far as team news is concerned Rafa Benitez will be without Javier Mascherano who is suspended for the next two league games. Brazilian international Lucas Leiva could step in alongside Xabi Alonso.

Jermaine Pennant will be hoping for a recall after an impressive outing for the reserves in the mini derby on Tuesday.

Sami Hyypia could make his 300th Premier league appearance at the Emirates and in doing so he would become only the second Liverpool player to achieve this feat after Jamie Carragher.

As far as the Gunners selection is concerned, Arsene Wenger is likely to be without the injured Robin van Persie who has an ankle problem but Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to be fit.

Wenger is also without injured pair Tomas Rosicky and Bacary Sagna. notas_de_prensa_archivo