Arsenal will give Liverpool plenty to think about

Brendan Rodgers calmly stared at a pumped-up press pack in the eye this week and told them Liverpool are one of world football’s superpowers. It was big talk from the Reds boss.

As an institution, he was right, but can he seriously claim that his team belong in that bracket?

If they lose to in-form Arsenal this evening, that confident bravado will look even sillier. Defeat at the Emirates Stadium would leave Liverpool needing a miraculous force of nature to save themselves from a finish outside the top four.

Their superpower status is on the line. They will encounter a Gunners outfit that is in fine fettle too.

The north Londoners have won nine of their last 10 matches, and after eight months of having to work overtime in cramped conditions, physiotherapist Colin Lewin currently has only one player, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, on his treatment table.

Arsene Wenger’s fantasy nirvana (selecting from a full fit squad) is close to becoming reality. It is little wonder he is looking so chipper and relaxed.

His chief goal threat will be Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman has played like a man possessed since the turn of the year — scoring nine from his previous nine Premier League starts — and in the absence of suspended defender Martin Skrtel, will need close attention from the visiting back three who must get super-tight to a player who has scored 11 of 13 league goals with instinctive one-touch finishes.

The key to unlocking Liverpool’s three-man defence is quick movement and early passes slid down the channels between the fullback and centre-back. Juan Mata had a field day against Alberto Moreno in this area last time out, and in wide areas, Liverpool will not have it any easier this time out, with the speedy Danny Welbeck or Alexis Sanchez targeting similar spaces.

The much-derided Mesut Ozil will also be a pivotal figure. The World Cup winner has laid on 22 chances since returning from injury at the start of February, prompting brilliantly from pockets of space inside the final third.

Playing some of his best football in Arsenal colours, now feels like the ideal time for the German to make a telling contribution in a heavyweight contest. He’s due an impact performance when it matters most.

Tactically, the Gunners were all over the place when these two sides met at Anfield before Christmas. That day, Mathieu Flamini floundered in the defensive midfield role, failing to get close enough to a rampant Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana — and this will once again be a concern for Wenger.

Tonight, he could rely instead on the athleticism and discipline of Francis Coquelin to negate Liverpool’s danger on the ball. He’s in terrific form, but the duo’s clever runs will be an acid test for him.

Will contract rebel Raheem Sterling get a run-out? And how will the travelling fans react to him in the wake of his unauthorised interview with the BBC?

It is hard to imagine the lively 20-year-old being left on the bench, but with Daniel Sturridge reportedly fit and ready for a return, he could be asked to do a job at wingback once again. With talks over a new deal so delicately poised, that’s a gamble, so don’t be surprised if it is Sturridge that misses out instead.

This should be an absorbing contest. Arsenal and Liverpool rarely play out a match that is lacking in thrills and spills, and there is enough at stake for it to have a big-match edge.

To suggest the winner will claim superpower status is over-egging it. But three points will give the victor a handy, forceful push at just the right time.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Adrian Clarke is a former Arsenal midfielder who has played at every level of English football. Now an experienced sports journalist, he writes for publications around the world. Follow him on Twitter @adrianjclarke.

TV Times:

Today:

Arsenal v Liverpool — Singtel TV Ch102 and StarHub TV Ch227, 7.45pm

Manchester United v Aston Villa — Singtel TV Ch102 and StarHub TV Ch227, 9.55pm

Everton v Southampton — Singtel TV Ch103 and StarHub TV Ch228, 9.55pm

Leicester v West Ham — Singtel TV Ch104 and StarHub TV Ch229, 9.55pm

Swansea v Hull — Singtel TV Ch105 and StarHub TV Ch230, 9.55pm

West Bromwich Albion v QPR — Singtel TV Ch106 and StarHub TV Ch231, 9.55pm

Sunday:

Chelsea v Stoke — Singtel TV Ch102 and StarHub TV Ch227, 12.30am

Burnley v Tottenham — Singtel TV Ch102 and StarHub TV Ch227, 8.30pm

Sunderland v Newcastle — Singtel TV Ch102 and StarHub TV Ch227, 11pm