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Liverpool v Arsenal, 'nuff said.

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Raeser

Liverpool v Arsenal, 'nuff said.

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(20/04/09 13:37:08)

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Liverpool v Arsenal

PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Anfield Date: Tuesday, 21 April Kick-off: 2000 BST
Coverage: Full match commentary on BBC Radio Merseyside 95.8 FM, 1485 MW and DAB; score updates on Final Score, BBC Sport website and BBC Radio 5 Live

Adebayor has a hamstring injury

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will miss out as he needs another seven to 10 days to overcome a groin problem.

After a week's rest boss Rafael Benitez may stick with the same side knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea.

Arsenal will be without leading scorer Robin van Persie (groin) and striker Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring) for the trip to Anfield.

Full-back Bacary Sagna has recovered from a virus and could feature along with fit-again Croatia forward Eduardo.

Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski will again deputise for the injured Manuel Almunia (ankle).

Defenders Gael Clichy (back), William Gallas (knee) and Johan Djourou (knee) are all sidelined.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Skrtel, Dossena, Aurelio, Insua, Benayoun, Riera, Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres, Ngog, El Zhar, Cavalieri.

Arsenal (from): Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Arshavin, Song, Fabregas, Walcott, Bendtner, Eduardo, Mannone, Eboue, Nasri, Diaby, Vela, Denilson, Ramsey.

"For me each and every game has its own degree of difficulty. It is always nice when you know what you have got to do but we go out and prepare to win every game.

"We don't prepare for failure, we know what we have to get out of each game - none more so than in these last six games.

"We can't look at what anyone else is doing or for anyone to do us favours, we have to do our own job."

"We have many big games coming up and we feel we can win them. Winning is what we live for.

"We cannot be happy with only trying to remain fourth. We want to get closer to the top and have a good opportunity to come back to six points on Liverpool.

"Third place is important, second place is important and why not first? You never know. You do not want to have regrets."

Make your Premier League predictions

BIG-MATCH FACTS

Liverpool are focussed entirely on the pursuit of a record 19th English top-flight title and their first in 19 years, and the attempt to deny Manchester United the prestige of equalling their 18 championship crowns.

Rafa Benitez' men have had all weekend to prepare for this vital home clash with Arsenal which could put them back on top of the table. A draw would see them climb above Manchester United on goal difference; a win would put them two points clear, having then played two more games than the Red Devils, who host Portsmouth on Wednesday night.

Champions League semi-finalists Arsenal must put the disappointment of Saturday's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea behind them, as they may have a major say on the destination of the Premier League trophy. Arsene Wenger's side still have to host Chelsea and visit Manchester United in their five remaining league fixtures after this.

Both these clubs have won their last five Premier League games.

Liverpool are bidding for 28 successive home top-flight matches without defeat; Arsenal have not lost in 18 home and away, and need three wins and a draw from six games to be guaranteed a top-four finish.

Four of the last five meetings between these clubs in all competitions have been 1-1 draws, including the last three in the Premier League.

The Gunners have been beaten more often (14 times) and dropped more points (52) in the Premier League against Liverpool , than against any other club.

Distance between the clubs: 209 miles (336 kilometres)

CLUB FORM

LIVERPOOL

Club stats

2nd 70 points
Highest achievable: 1st
Lowest could fall: 2nd

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Won their last five Premier League matches against Sunderland (h), Manchester United (a), Aston Villa (h) Fulham (a), and Blackburn (h). Now pursuing their longest winning sequence since ending the 2005-06 campaign with nine successive victories.

2. Lost one of 21 league games; the defeat being 2-0, away to Middlesbrough on 28 February.

3. Boast the best attack in the highest league. More details

4. Scored nine goals in stoppage time; only Arsenal match that.

5. Failed to score in one of the last 11 Premier League matches; away to Middlesbrough.

6. The current total of 70 points after 32 games is their best ever return in the Premier League, and the best at this stage since the title-winning campaign of 1987-88, when 76 points had been accrued at this corresponding juncture.

7. Lost just one of 17 league games in which they've opening the scoring; away to Spurs.

8. Undefeated in 27 home league games; won 19 and drawn eight since Manchester United's 0-1 triumph at Anfield on 16 December 2007 - their only defeat in 39 league games on home turf.

9. Kept clean sheets in nine of the last 12 league games at Anfield; the most recent two being 5-0 against Aston Villa on 22 March, and 4-0 against Blackburn on 11 April.

10. The run-in after this is:- Hull (a), Newcastle (h), West Ham (a), West Brom (a) and Tottenham (h).

Fixtures

ARSENAL

Club stats

4th 61 points
Highest achievable: 4th
Lowest could fall: 4th

Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League

1. Won the last five Premier League matches with an aggregate score of 16-3. Not won six in a row since seven on the bounce between 25 August and 20 October 2007.

2. Won 10 and drawn eight of their last 18 Premier League matches; their longest undefeated sequence since the "invincibles" went through the entire 2003-04 season without defeat.

3. Kept clean sheets in six of the last nine league games, conceding just three goals in the nine matches. Let in only five Premier League goals in 2009; fewer than any other club.

6. Top in the Premier League's "Last Six Current Form" table, but the current total of 61 points after 32 games is nine points down on last season.

7. On the longest current run of 13 top-flight outings since conceding more than one goal in a game; the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Boxing Day being the most recent.

8. On the longest current undefeated run away from home in the top league of nine games; won five and drawn four on the road since losing 3-0 to Manchester City at Eastlands on 22 November. That defeat is their only loss in 12 against North-West clubs; won nine of them.

10. This match precedes a home clash with Middlesbrough next Sunday, and the first leg of the Champions League semi-final with Manchester United at Old Trafford next Wednesday. Thereafter the run-in is:- Portsmouth (a), Chelsea (h), Manchester United (a) and Stoke (h).

Fixtures

KEY PLAYER NOTES

LIVERPOOL

Squad profiles

Jose REINA is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Liverpool's Premier League matches this season.

Jamie CARRAGHER is the only other player to have started all of Liverpool's Premier League games this term.

Steven GERRARD is the club's top Premier League scorer with 13 goals.

Fernando TORRES needs a hat-trick to total 50 goals for Liverpool.

If selected:-

Daniel AGGER will be making his 50th Premier League appearance for Liverpool.

ARSENAL

Squad profiles

Emmanuel ADEBAYOR is Arsenal's top Premier League scorer with 10 goals.

HEAD TO HEAD

Arsenal have not returned with all three points from Anfield since a 1-2 win on 4 October 2003, when a stunning second-half strike from Robert Pires secured the points and kept the Gunners on course for the title.

There has not been an away win in a fixture between Arsenal and Liverpool, either in London or at Anfield, in 10 league meetings.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Liverpool 68 wins, Arsenal 58, Draws 43
Prem: Liverpool 14 wins, Arsenal 9, Draws 10

at Liverpool only
League (inc PL): Liverpool 48 wins, Arsenal 21, Draws 15
Prem: Liverpool 9 wins, Arsenal 3, Draws 4

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
28 October 2007 - Ref: Howard Webb
Liverpool scorer: Gerrard 7
Arsenal scorer: Fabregas 80

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
21 December 2008 - Ref: Howard Webb
Arsenal scorer: Van Persie 24
Liverpool scorer: Keane 42
Sent Off: Adebayor (Arsenal) 62

REFEREE

Howard Webb (Yorkshire)

"For those of you watching in black and white, Liverpool are the team with the ball"

Last Edited By: uly55es 21/04/09 15:24:41. Edited 1 time.

Raeser

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Posts: 888

(21/04/09 02:58:59)

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Tonights game has got me feeling a little tense, if truth be known. Arsenal are a very good side with good team players throughout the squad, which means they'll be out to prove that they deserve to be ahead of us in the table.

Forget all the talk of injuries and such like, this game is a big one for them and they'll be trying their damndest to do us.

No Stevie for us is not the end of the world as the rest of the team have proved a number of times this season that they can compete without him and win. Though I'd rather have him back if it means dropping Lucas.

I feel that it may end up a draw which, while not a bad result at any other time, tonight it would mean the end of getting the title and seeing flamin' Fergie's mush all over the back pages for the rest of the season.

So, here's hoping for another 2-0 lead by half time and Rafa leaving Torres on long enough to get the hat-trick

"For those of you watching in black and white, Liverpool are the team with the ball"

peileadoir

Liverpool, march on..

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Posts: 644

(21/04/09 03:17:42)

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Ay, I have a quite similar feeling towards tonights game...Not having SG is a loss,but as you said Rae, Liverpool has made it a couple of times without him,too!
Lucas in the squad, no problem for me as long as the defensive work is shared by Mashie and Xabi.
Early tacklings, don´t let them develop their fast game, and avoid set pieces!!
3 points, Liverpool, 3 points for us tonight.

C´mon, Mighty Reds!!

"The cup ended up with Stevie G in his room. His girlfriend wasn't here, so he had the cup in his bed instead."

peileadoir

Sammy Lee speaks out...

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Posts: 645

(21/04/09 03:20:31)

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SAMMY PREVIEWS TONIGHT'S BIG GAME
James Carroll 21 April 2009, dot tevee

SAMMY LEE

Journalist: Sammy, Arsenal are here on Tuesday night and Liverpool have had a free weekend, which has perhaps given the lads a bit of time to recuperate from the exertions against Chelsea. Has a small part of you enjoyed the fact your opponents on Tuesday and your title rivals had great exertions in the FA Cup semi-finals over the weekend?

No because we'd be rather have been playing in the semi-finals too, this football club likes to play in every game. We train to try and make sure we're involved in every game and we're never pleased to go out of any tournament. We know whatever team Arsenal put out on Tuesday will present us with a very difficult task.

Journalist: There was a suggestion earlier in the season that Arsenal were maybe not the team they once were. Was that a bit of silly talk?

One thing I will say to you is that you never heard anyone here say that, whether it was silly talk or not. That's the type of talk we don't use here at Liverpool Football Club. We have a healthy respect for all of our opponents. We know on Tuesday it's going to be a very difficult game.

Journalist: All tough games now until the end of the season, but that Arsenal game is probably one of the toughest. Is that a fair assumption?

Yes because it's the next game. You've heard me say on many occasions that each and every game has its own degree of difficulty. We have a healthy respect for our opponents and it sounds clichéd, but we haven't played any easy games this season. You'll have to point them out to me if there has been any.

Journalist: There must be many elements of the Chelsea performance you want your team to adopt from here on in?

We try to adopt something from nearly all of our performances. We tried to take the performance against Blackburn into the next game, which was Chelsea. That's what we're looking for with this team - we want to progress. We work hard each and every day and hopefully that will transmit itself onto the pitch.

Journalist: Does it help that we're at the stage of the season now where a victory will take you two points clear? Is that 'you can't afford to lose' mentality starting to kick in?

I think it's always nice when you know what you've got to do, but if we'd have been talking about this before the first game of the season we'd have been saying the same things. We prepare to try and win every game. If that sounds like arrogance, I want to stop that there. What I'm saying is we never prepare for failure. We prepare to go out and try to get maximum points. We know what we need to get out of every game we play, none more so than in these last six games. We can't afford to look at anyone else and see what they're doing or look for favours; we've just got to do our own job.

Journalist: You mention that word 'arrogance' and you've spoken about having a healthy respect for your opponents, but it seems Liverpool, and in particular your manager, have come in for a bit of flak...

This is Liverpool Football Club and when you're successful, people will always try to knock you down. We know what we've done and if anyone else wants to view that in a different light then that is up to them. When we go out on the park, we only try to affect what we can and that's our own team. So if anyone sees something else in any of the gestures we do they are mistaken.

Journalist: Are you surprised at what's happened since those gestures that followed the second goal against Blackburn? You know Sam Allardyce well don't you?

I thought so. I am very surprised because the gestures were directed at a member of our team. Also, nothing was said to me when I was sat down with Sam after the game. I'm sure if he felt that strongly about it he would have mentioned something to me. I can't speak for what other people think or what they read into things. All I can say is whenever we gesticulate on the line, it is to try and affect our players and game, not other teams.

Journalist: Is this talk of mind games, as it's been labelled, something that's always been around or is it the special preserve of Sir Alex Ferguson?

I haven't got a clue because everything goes over my head. I think football is a quite a simple game, but people seem to want to complicate things and put their little slant on it. Thankfully it does go over my head because there is enough to worry about in football without worrying about 'mind games'.

Journalist: As you say, Arsenal is the next game and it has to be the priority. Although we're led to believe Steven Gerrard is still struggling with injury, in the last two games without him you've managed to score eight goals...

If I agree to that then it sounds like a criticism of Stevie! On many occasions in the past we've been asked about team selection and what I always say is whatever team we put out will be our best team to go out and try to get the maximum out of the game. Again, other people may view things differently, but I can't legislate for that. Whoever we put out will do their best for Liverpool Football Club. Obviously if one of your star players is absent then it will be a big miss, but all credit to these lads and this football club because we are a squad and we're all working for each other.

Journalist: What are some of the attributes you can see amongst the players and the backroom staff that lead you to believe you can cross the finishing line in first?

I never said that. One word that I always try to use at this football club is 'humility'. We are a humble club and we have a healthy respect for everyone. We have a healthy respect for what we have to do and the job in hand. Win, lose or draw, we have humility about ourselves and that will provide us with a strong platform for the business end of the campaign.

Journalist: There's some talk at the moment that Kenny Dalglish might have an involvement in the future development of the club, both on the youth set-up and here at Melwood. Can you shed any light on that?

Kenny's had a development on this club over the years and if there is any future involvement, then it can only be good for the football club. I think everybody here would welcome him, most of all me because he's got a worse accent than me!

Journalist: You talk about welcoming him back. What impact would he have if he were to return?

I think he's already had an impact because you're talking about it! He's never really been away. He's always here watching games and is terrific to have around. The impact he'd have here would be very positive because he's a great character and has terrific knowledge of the game. I think it could only be a great addition to an already very good staff.

Journalist: Is it that he hasn't been able to stay away? Is it the pull of Liverpool?

That was certainly the situation for me, but you would have to ask him about that. For me, there is something special about this football club.

Journalist: Can I ask Sammy, how do you ensure the players enjoy these remaining games and don't start to feel the pressure from the fans, who, let's face it, are desperate for the Premier League title?

Only time will tell. We have a great bunch of lads and a level-headed group of players who keep their feet on the ground. A lot has been said about them, good and bad, but they've stuck to their task and the fact we are talking like this with six games to go shows the improvement that this football club has made this year. We always look to improve each and every day in every training session and match.

Journalist: You've been involved in title winning sides before. Do you have a gut feeling?

We have six games left that we need make sure we get maximum points out of. We'll be putting our maximum effort in to make sure we achieve that.

Journalist: You mentioned you don't like to be out of any competition, but it's just the Premier League remaining for you now. Does having one sole focus galvanise you as a squad and a team?

Only time will tell. I was gutted we were not playing at Wembley over the weekend because this football club prepares itself to be involved in all competitions. The Premier League is a terrific competition and it would be nice if we could get maximum points from these six games. Then we'll see what happens.

Journalist: Can you just give us a thought on possible developments regarding Hillsborough and the news that new documents may be released?

It's superb for the families and the campaigners because this is what they've been fighting for. We were all there last week, it was an emotional occasion and the turnout was unbelievable. I wish it hadn't happened and we didn't have to have these get-togethers every year, but we do because of the tragedy. I think this news is some light for the people who have tirelessly campaigned for their families over the last twenty years.

Journalist: Can I just briefly ask about Michael Thomas' goal for Arsenal in 1989, which obviously gutted a lot of Liverpool supporters. What are your own memories of that?

You asked about gut feelings earlier and I was completely gutted when that went in! But that's in the past and we have to look forward and not back. That's why we like to make sure when we score goals, we make gestures to make sure we keep it tight at the back, remain disciplined and don't become disorganised. Thomas' goal was a mind-numbing moment to be totally honest, but that's football. It can happen and that's why you have to try and cover yourself for every eventuality.

Journalist: Coming into these last six games, are the memories of the heartbreak, the delight and the glory that come with a title race the sort of things you remind your current squad of players about?

I don't remind them of that goal! All we say to them is 'keep your feet on the ground'. There have been a lot of ups and downs this year - more ups than downs - and we've got to ensure there are more positives than negatives in the next six games.

Journalist: Just going back to those comments about Rafa, were you surprised at how personal they got?

I was surprised that it came out, but I cannot legislate for what other people say. We know what we're about and there is not an ounce of arrogance in Rafa. If other people want to try and read into gestures that we make then that is entirely up to them. You'll have to ask them why they thought those gestures were made in that manner. I know full well they were made in response to what we wanted one of our players to do. It certainly had nothing to do with any other football team. It was also surprising because I was sat with Sam Allardyce after the Blackburn game and if he felt that strongly about it, then I am surprised he did not say something to me, considering I was his assistant manager for a period of time at Bolton. He didn't and he decided to talk about it somewhere else at a different time, which is up to him. I cannot legislate for what other people think.

"The cup ended up with Stevie G in his room. His girlfriend wasn't here, so he had the cup in his bed instead."

Socratease1

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(21/04/09 13:47:50)

Systonizo

Come On You Red Men!!!

The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.

Socrates

Double Sheds

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Posts: 341

(21/04/09 13:52:15)

Team for tonight:

Reina
Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio
Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun, Kuyt, Riera
Torres

Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Babel, Lucas, Ngog, El Zhar, Skrtel.

I'm happy with the line up, I hope Benayoun plays through the middle behind Torres.

uly55es

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Posts: 1894

(21/04/09 15:18:44)

Brave play from Yossi there, fine goal!

Double Sheds

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Posts: 342

(21/04/09 16:42:21)

ahhhhhhh nuts. I thought we were going to win it until they got their third goal. Great determination to try and win it at 3-3 and then to grab a late equaliser when it was 4-3. Those defensive mistakes really cost us today, but to be honest I didn't think man u were going to slip up enough for us to get it anyway. We still need them to slip up twice (just two losses now, instead of 2 draws).

Beardsleyslovechild

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Posts: 762

(22/04/09 06:14:31)

I was at the match last night and I never thought I'd be gutted to come away from a 4-4 thriller

By the way, what was Stevie G doing in the SkySports studio and not down on the bench with the lads and in the dressing room at half-time given that he's our captain ?

SoccerKid08

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Posts: 269

(22/04/09 08:43:36)

I have not seen the match yet, still on the DVR. But what is up with our defense in the past two games. Giving up 8 goals in two games is really not like our defense at all. Raffa will definitely put the clamps on again.

ONCE A RED.... ALWAYS A RED

uly55es

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Posts: 1895

(22/04/09 09:06:01)

SK, I do have to question why Carra is coming forward on free kicks, despite some decent efforts lately, he's not exactly a goal-scoring machine, is he? Definitely cost us on the break last night I feel.

Kuyt has it right in the Echo this morning: "we need a miracle now." Howeverm if we'd played with this kind of fighting spirit from the start of the season, we'd be 6 points clear now, probably.

X11 LFC

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Posts: 654

(22/04/09 10:10:09)

Kopite

I like that hot chocolate song "I believe in miracles" - well I did until that ruddy advert with the hippo and duck! What was it - oh yeah Miracoils - pah.

Come on Crouchie - do us a big favour tonight.

No matter what happens - I have loved watching us play the latter part of this season - proud is the word. I won't give up on the title until it's mathmatically impossible for us to win it.

Quote:
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used
up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO what a ride!'

SoccerKid08

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Posts: 270

(22/04/09 13:59:21)

I agree that I have enjoyed watching us play in the past month or so, but those are games that we have described as must win games, and I think that we can see Raffa thinking and game plan to must wins games in comparison to games in the earlier part of the season. Instead of the shell and lifeless side, we have seen a very attack minded squad and style of play. I hope that this mentality goes forward into next season.
I always thought that it was going to be difficult to get ahead of United after the Man. City game at home when we dropped those 2 pts, but like the squad currently, I am not giving up till the final whistle.

Come on Crouchie and Pennant..

ONCE A RED.... ALWAYS A RED

peileadoir

Fighting spirit

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Posts: 646

(23/04/09 01:22:26)

Moderator

We made 3 individual mistakes in defence and Arshavin was there to punish us coldblooded, last goal was really good, as it seems that he was coming for the pass from nowhere with such a speed that it was impossible to stop him. I believe that at the moment no other team but Arsenal could have net from every mistake we made.
But I can´t blame the lads as they showed again what they are capable of. For me, since 03/04 (when I became a LFC addict for life) that is the best LFC team, in quality and in mental strengh, I have ever seen. I was gutted after Arshavin made it four, but we kept shouting in the pub like "Go on, Liverpool!" etc and then Yossi scored the goal he so strongly deserved.
MOM, in my opinion.

@ Uly

btw: where did those 6 Minutes extra time came from???

Great great game for me, but 2 points less than we hoped for.

Anyway, I believe that our team is a serious contender for the PL Title, also next season!

"The cup ended up with Stevie G in his room. His girlfriend wasn't here, so he had the cup in his bed instead."

Beardsleyslovechild

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Posts: 763

(23/04/09 06:29:25)

Yossi was defo MOM. After a poor early part of the season, he's certainly come good of late.

Possible banana skins for Manure :

Spurs at home
Boro away (in between CL semis)
Man City at home (after the CL semis)
Arsenal at home.

Let's hope it isn't over yet (although I must admit I think it is now). I don't think Manure deserve to win the title this year - they've been average at best.

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