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Liverpool to beat Arsenal again? Don’t bet on it

Arsenal had no excuses at Anfield last season. Smarter, stronger, faster, Liverpool trounced them plain and simple.

After their loss to Stoke City a fortnight ago, Arsene Wenger’s men would definitely be on the prowl tomorrow. Photo: Getty Images

After their loss to Stoke City a fortnight ago, Arsene Wenger’s men would definitely be on the prowl tomorrow. Photo: Getty Images

Arsenal had no excuses at Anfield last season. Smarter, stronger, faster, Liverpool trounced them plain and simple.

I was there, and with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers’ rampant Reds going four-nil up after 20 minutes, most Gunners fans were grateful it was only 5-1 in the end.

This time I sense it might be different. Here are five reasons Arsenal can avenge that chastening loss tomorrow.

THEY CAN’T GET CAUGHT COLD AGAIN, CAN THEY?

Peter Crouch’s goal after only 19 seconds at Stoke City a fortnight ago served as a timely reminder for Arsene Wenger’s men. Having left their brains in the dressing room that day (and at Anfield last February), the team’s focus is sure to be sharpened ahead of the first whistle this time.

Laurent Koscielny’s absence is a blow, but it may force the Gunners into adopting a deeper back line, and with Raheem Sterling on the prowl, that is definitely a sensible idea.

If Arsenal adopt a no-risk policy early on and silence the home crowd, under-pressure Liverpool and their fans will begin to get restless. It is then that the visitors should start expressing themselves.

THE MAGIC OF ALEXIS SANCHEZ

How Liverpool must wish they’d been able to convince the Chilean that Merseyside and not North London was the place for him last summer. It is bad enough losing Luis Suarez as it is, but seeing a player of his ilk on the other side transforms the dynamic of this fixture completely.

Alexis Sanchez is sensational, and just the kind of player that thrives in a red-hot atmosphere, so I am expecting a big performance from him tomorrow. His power and purpose should rock Liverpool’s wobbly and uncertain defence onto their heels, and if he’s afforded a chance to score, he will tuck it away.

The South American has given Arsenal an x factor they were missing up front last year.

MIDFIELD RUNNING POWER

Steven Gerrard used to frighten rival teams with his irresistible bursts through central midfield, but in this match, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is by some distance the most dynamic threat in this area.

Running at full pelt from deep inside his own half last weekend, Newcastle United had no answer to The Ox’s athleticism. When I look at the Liverpool midfield, it is hard to see who’s capable of stopping him in his tracks, especially if Jordan Henderson is deployed at wingback.

If Rodgers does not come up with a plan to tame the young Gunners star, it might be a physical mismatch in midfield.

EXPLOITING A BACK THREE

If the Liverpool boss sticks with his 3-4-2-1 formation, I have a hunch Arsene Wenger will be delighted.

All three defenders are adjusting to the new system as they go, and from a positional sense, they struggled at Old Trafford last weekend. Kolo Toure, Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho need to spread out across the line and close the cavernous gaps they left open between the outside centre-half and wingback.

If they do not communicate properly, Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla and Oxlade-Chamberlain will stride into the space that is left open on the flanks and wreak havoc.

PACE IN ABUNDANCE

The Gunners were slow and one-dimensional on their last visit to Anfield, but now they have speed all over the pitch — especially in forward areas.

Against a Liverpool side that consistently struggled to cope with opponents running at them with pace this season, Wenger’s athletes will make Rodgers’ men uncomfortable every time they break on them.

This scary counter-attacking threat may prevent the home side from being as ambitious as they’d like to be in front of their own fans. And that could play right into the visitors’ hands.

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.

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