Preview: LIVERPOOL v Arsenal

So the long awaited arrival of the Gunners to Anfield arrives and, as is usually the case, a lot is riding on this game for both sides.

For Arsenal, a win would represent a double over a side that make up a pack of 4 sides that are still considered title-challengers, and would no doubt likely see the Reds completely fall out of consideration for the Premier League title.

A win for Liverpool and Arsenal are hauled back within touching distance. A win, and all of a sudden anything will once again seem possible. A win, and we’ll be looking at moving into the middle of February just 5 points behind the current league leaders. If you’d offered any of us that back in August we’d have thought you were having a very cruel joke with us at our expense.

Arsenal will arrive at Anfield with their most notable absentee likely to be Aaron Ramsey, which should help to galvanize Liverpool somewhat, considering the midfielder’s goal-scoring exploits for much of this season.

With Flamini still suspended and deadline-day signing Kim Kallstrom a long-term injury, and Thomas Vermaelen out with a minor injury, much of Arsenal’s ‘spine’ should be missing giving Liverpool a further glimmer of hope.

The only downside, of course, is that Liverpool’s own defensive options are too somewhat limited and manager Brendan Rodgers will again look to Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure to marshal a central defence that has had problems with individual errors all season long.

With 6 full days to prepare, Rodgers will no doubt have made very clear to his players that this could prove to be a ‘make or break’ game for their top-4 hopes, particularly as a win will also see close rivals drop points and a long-awaited win over one of the top sides (with the United win not really counting as a win over a ‘top side’..) this season.

Whatever the outcome, this game will prove to be a real belter and with players such as Coutinho, Suarez, Sturridge and Ozil, Wilshere and Cazorla on display we should be treated to a real festival of skill, scoring and – fingers crossed – a big, big win for the Reds.

Match Odds: Liverpool 23/20, Arsenal 12/5, draw 27/10