Saturday 8 February 2014 | Anfield | Kick-off 12:45
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Wiziwig links Liverpool v Arsenal links (click here)
180px-Liverpool_FC.svg.jpg vs 3d11ae64abb9f58c5e0556c082157e3c.jpeg
Wiziwig links Liverpool v Arsenal links (click here)
Match preview
Anfield has been a happy hunting ground for Arsenal but their title credentials will be in for a major test against Liverpool on Saturday.
Arsene Wenger has masterminded three victories in the London club's last four Barclays Premier League trips to Anfield, including a 2-0 triumph last season.
Not since Peter Crouch scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory in March 2007 have the Merseyside club secured a home win against Arsenal in the top flight.
Liverpool did also beat Wenger's side 4-2 the following April in a UEFA Champions League quarter-final thriller to progress 5-3 on aggregate and set up a semi-final against Chelsea. However, in the 12 meetings between the two sides since then, Liverpool have only managed one victory 2-0 at Emirates Stadium in August 2011.
Wenger's side hold a two-point lead at the top of the table after they beat Crystal Palace 2-0 last weekend and second-placed Manchester City lost 1-0 at home to Chelsea, who are now level on points with Manuel Pellegrini's side.
Liverpool suffered a 2-0 reverse at Arsenal in November, but Wenger believes Brendan Rodgers' side are a different proposition now.
"We need to dominate the game in order to keep [Luis] Suarez and [Daniel] Sturridge quiet," he said.
"We must control possession.
"We had some good wins at Anfield. I have a lot of respect for the fans there, they know their football.
I think Liverpool are strong offensively with Sturridge, Suarez, [Philippe] Coutinho, [Raheem] Sterling and [Steven] Gerrard.
"Liverpool are in a better position than to when we last played them. They have momentum with them."
Arsenal, who have won eight and drawn two of their last 10 matches, could welcome back Jack Wilshere (ankle), while fellow midfielder Mikel Arteta (calf) should also feature.
Aaron Ramsey (thigh), Thomas Vermaelen (knee), Kim Kallstrom (back) will play no part, and Mathieu Flamini is suspended. Theo Walcott and Abou Diaby (both knee) are long-term absentees.
Liverpools 1-1 draw at West Brom last Sunday left them two points ahead of city rivals Everton and eight adrift of Arsenal, but the Merseyside club treated their fans to a 4-0 rout of neighbours Everton in their last game at Anfield and have only failed to win twice at home in the Barclays Premier League this season.
Rodgers will once again be unable to call on defenders Daniel Agger (calf), Glen Johnson (ankle/groin) and Mamadou Sakho (hamstring). Midfielder Lucas Leiva and defender Jose Enrique (both knee) are also unavailable.
Liverpool (from): Jones, Mignolet, Coates, Flanagan, Kelly, Skrtel, Toure, Alberto, Allen, Gerrard, Henderson, Ibe, Aspas, Coutinho, Moses, Sterling, Sturridge, Suarez.
Arsenal (from): Fabianski, Szczesny, Martinez, Gibbs, Jenkinson, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Monreal, Sagna, Arteta, Cazorla, Gnabry, Miyaichi, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Rosicky, Wilshere, Zelalem, Bendtner, Giroud, Podolski, Sanogo
Match Appointments
Referee: Michael Oliver. Assistants: S Burt, G Beswick. Fourth Official: R Madley.